Paphiopedilum care???
 

Planning of getting paphiopedilum this soon but i want to know how to care for it first... Please help!

How to care for it will depend a lot on which one it is.
I could be completely wrong on this, but I think hybrids are generally easier to care for than species are. Also some paphs are calcareous (meaning they need more calcium than other plants.)
I love this website I found when searching for specific information on a paph after I bought it. It would probably be better to check out the information on each species to see which one would suit you. I've read about each paph's dry season, ideal temperature, what the species grow in, and flowering habits of each species with the provided info. I wrote down some that I think I would like in the future based on what I could possibly supply for them, and if I liked their flowers.
Slipperorchids.info <- btw they also have info on phrags too. :)

I'll add this: I've read that a paph from the sigmatopetalum group is a good start for a beginner. Also know as Maudiae, I believe?


I don't want to say too much since I'm new to orchids, so I hope I haven't overstepped my boundaries! Good luck :) I started out with a paph Sukhakulii and a paph Ho Chi Minh. I got them on dec 24th so I'm still very new.

Rule of thumb:

Don't keep wet but don't let them dry out too much between waterings.

Usually you use a more fine graded substrate than to Phals.

They prefer a bit higher humidity levels than Phals.



Some things I've picked up along the way:

Mottled leafed Paphs usually want less light than strap leafed ones. Phal light levels are perfect for them and they're pretty much ideal for the windowsill together with your Phals (if you have any).

Strap leafed Paphs usually want a bit cooler temps and more light than the mottled leafed ones.

Multiflora Paphs, also strap leafed, usually want more light (Cattleya levels) to flower and they tend to get big too.

Maudiae (callosum x lawrenceanum) or Maudiae type hybrids in general, are usually considered good for beginners. I started with a species Paph, an appletonianum var. cerveranum a.k.a. 'The Weed'; also good for beginners I would claim.

When it comes to multiflora Paphs; philippinenese and especially its hybrids seem to be considered easy.

I think the 'easy' ones, Maudiae etc., are are referred to as such because you can easily grow them on a windowsill. If you have a greenhouse, then maybe the strap leafed complex hybrids or the Paphs within the Paphiopedilum subgenus (villosum, gratrixianum, insigne, helenae etc.) might do better for you.

Then we have the Parvisepalum, Brachypetalum and the Cochlopetalum (sequential bloomers) sugenera that I know nothing about. I do know that Pinocchio (primary hybrid within the Cochlopetalum subgenus) is considered a relatively easy Paph.

Hybrids are generally easier than species, but there are always exceptions. I would choose a hybrid and not go full out with a bunch of species as I did. That's how you and up with a rap sheet with the orchid police (notorious Paph killer here).

Slipperorchids.info that Jenn4a mentions is a very good site indeed.

Wait until the more experienced Paph growers arrive, since I think you've gotten most information from relative Paph newbies (I've had mine for soon 3 years now). :biggrin:

Thanks so much for the help. I have my eye set on a paph. california girl... im rather new with orchids and need all the help i can get.

I would try to help you further, but I cannot find out the parentage of that paph :( I'm nowhere near experienced enough to guess by the looks of the flower either.

What size plant are you planning on purchasing? And where?
For me personally, I choose the biggest, most healthiest plant I can in my budget. okay, at least I try to most of the time :lol:
When buying in person, try not to judge so much on the size of the pot; pot size can be very deceiving sometimes, and even my paphs from a well known grower seemed to be over potted. Maybe the pot sizes worked for them in their green house, but not so much for my conditions. Also paphs don't generally have a great amount of roots like some others, such as a phalaenopsis. <-- Generalization, doesn't always hold true though.
If you can, try to choose a plant that is secure in it's pot; sometimes wobbly plants suggest there's been root loss. Some imperfections on the leaves are/can be normal. I was worried about my Paph. Sukhakulii; when I got it, it had some brown areas around the crown and leaves. I kind of panicked, but I emailed the grower and he said it wasn't anything to worry about. They seemed pretty honest with me, as I bought 2 cattleya seedlings that became sick. I sent them photos and they refunded me without hesitation.

Again, I hope this is helpful and not misleading. :)

A complex strap-leafed hybrid in other words.

By the way, I remembered seeing a good page about Paphiopedilum care for beginners and managed to find it again (it's one of many pages I read when first starting out):
Paphiopedilum: Frequently Asked Questions. A lot of good things to read there.

Yes, California Girl is a famous red complex hybrid.
If you like red bulldog, then they are more than California Girl.

It is very easy to grow and bloom like complex hybrids generally are.

If you are successful (not just keeping them alive but grow them well and have abundant bloom each year) with phalaenopsis or oncidiums, you will do just fine with these types of paphs as well.

They take bright indirect light and some sun is fine depending on the latitude you live in and the season and the time of the day....

You want to water them well especially while they are actively growing during the warmer months and when growing buds and flowering like any plants.

So good light and good watering, simple as that! :)

They will usually bloom around mid winter but can bloom any time before or after.

Thank you so much for the help!:waving

Just got my new lady slipper! Thank you so much for your help!