Is Paphiopedilum Delenatii okay for beginners?

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

Okay, this post showed me I had the temperature ranges completely wrong, so I'm growing mine at intermediate temperatures and not warm as I wrote earlier.

Darn these Fahrenheit to Celsius failures!

Paph. delenatii is going to be quite adaptable to anything from intermediate to warm. Heck, it'll probably even do well grown cool. So don't sweat the temps. Just be sure to adjust your watering accordingly. If it's cooler, water less, if it's warmer, water more.

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

Paph. delenatii is going to be quite adaptable to anything from intermediate to warm. Heck, it'll probably even do well grown cool. So don't sweat the temps. Just be sure to adjust your watering accordingly. If it's cooler, water less, if it's warmer, water more.

Nah, it was more that I thought I was growing it warm, and then I checked and it turned out it was intermediate. It's good to know what temperatures you're providing after all (it's just me being confused).

Yes, I really need to learn to water less when the temperatures drop. The biggest issue I have though, is actually condensation inside the pots. I have to move some of the plants away from the window during night, otherwise the roots start to suffer.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Plantcrazed101

Oh boy,. I've already reppoted it...no roots were broken though...the pot it was in seemed really big with heavy mix and I was nervous about over/under watering it.

I do have a lamp by my desk that had a CFL and is on 14-16hrs a day... Temps are around 70 most of the time, should I move it there where it will be warmer until spring arrives?


I will definitely get easier hybrids after this one, but I'm hoping I can make it happy.


Glad (?) To know they don't make too many roots in general.

My Paph is also a dunkel! It looks so cool.



I do have lots of patience as I have an oncidium twinkle, psychopsis and phals to bide my time... Plus 100 African Violets a balcony, hoyas, etc



Does Paphiopedilum delenatii need a "winter rest" of sorts or will it not notice it's winter if there is enough light and warmth?

Don't worry, delenatii is not considered difficult and they are rather easy to grow and flower actually.

Repotting can be done any time of the year. Spring or anytime plants grow new roots are best because they adapt with much more ease, but when mix is bad or other situation arises, you have to repot any time of the year. So, you did the right thing to change it into a smaller pot. You want to have it the way you are comfortable with according to your own specific growing conditions and watering habit. That's the secret of success.

Regarding having one root, the plant probably was not in good conditions in the previous owner's care. They usually have a few big hairy brownish roots even as young plants.
To encourage root growth, try kelp or seaweed extract stuff. Many people use it and report they see good results.

Is it pushing a new leaf at the moment? If not, try not to water too often as you only have one root plant. You don't want to lose it also.

Paph delenatii does not take winter rest like others in the parvi section. Morning sun is fine and actually beneficial.
I hope you enjoy growing it!

[JMLand]

Texas you say? I'm located in Dallas. Delenatii Does pretty well for me. But it likes a slight dry out. Not totally dry though.and it can take some pretty low temps just fine. I let my greenhouse get down to 50 every night and it doesn't mind a bit

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'd hesitate to grow this species down to 40 F - 45 F, (which is what I define as the mid range of "cool temperatures", with 36 F being the lowest end of "cool" and 49 F being the highest end of "cool" as it approaches the low end of intermediate temperatures). I just don't trust that it can handle this. There's a possibility it might, but the probability of successfully growing this orchid lower than 50 F long-term might not be in your favor. 50 F is fine, but any lower, and you're pretty much testing the plant's limits. If you've got the guts to try growing lower than 50 F, then go for it, just know that it might not work out well. If it's not necessary to, then I'd go with 50 F as a low because it's already known that this is a low end temperature tolerance.