Paph? Phrag? Basic id and care much appreciated

[judith_arquette]

Hubby brought this home because he couldn't resist. I'm not really sure which one of us has the orchid addiction lol It's labeled Golden Slipper Orchid. I have an idea that it may either be a paph or a phrag...I've never owned either before and for some reason have trouble keeping them straight. It's potted in sphag so dry it feels crispy. I'd like to repot into either a bark, charcoal, perlite mix I have or leca as I've never done well with sphag. Please help

[ninja_phal]

That is a bulldog variety paphiopedilum. It likes some bright indirect light, but does not require a lot of light like catts or dens. It should be thoroughly watered when dry (about 1-3 times a week). Unlike most orchids, paphs are semi terrestrial and live in leaf matter on the forest floor near water. They do very well in sphag because they normally grow in plant matter. I would advise leaving it in sphag. For my orchids I use bark for everything but paphs

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by ninja_phal

That is a bulldog variety paphiopedilum. It likes some bright indirect light, but does not require a lot of light like catts or dens. It should be thoroughly watered when dry (about 1-3) times a week. Unlike most orchids, paphs are semi terrestrial and live in leaf matter on the forest floor near water. They do very well in sphag because they normally grow in plant matter. I would advise leaving it in sphag. For my orchids I use bark for everything but paphs

Thanks! I'll leave well enough alone and give it some water ASAP

[ninja_phal]

Some people do like to put them in bark though. If you want to, you can. I like sphagnum for them because they do really enjoy some constant moisture

[My Green Pets]

I have mine in a bark/sphagnum 50/50 mix

[PaphMadMan]

Just a caution I give to all Paph beginners... The fastest way to kill a Paph is too much water or media going bad, and sphagnum can go bad with a vengeance if kept too wet. You can grow good Paphs in sphag, but until you know what you're doing be very careful.

[judith_arquette]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Just a caution I give to all Paph beginners... The fastest way to kill a Paph is too much water or media going bad, and sphagnum can go bad with a vengeance if kept too wet. You can grow good Paphs is sphag, but until you know what you're doing be very careful.

I'd love any/all advice possible. I am notorious for over watering. How should I proceed? I watered it thoroughly earlier, it hadn't been watered in awhile I'm guessing because the sphag was dry as a bone all the way through

[WhiteRabbit]

I have a strap leaf Paph in fine bark mix, growing on a windowsill with some Dens, Neostylis, and compact Catt hybrids (a west facing window that gets some direct sun mid to late afternoon)

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by judith_arquette

I'd love any/all advice possible. I am notorious for over watering. How should I proceed? I watered it thoroughly earlier, it hadn't been watered in awhile I'm guessing because the sphag was dry as a bone all the way through

Sphag can be hard to re-wet once it dries out completely. When you water, make sure it is wet through. I would prefer to let it soak in water half-way up the pot for half an hour to be sure. Then let it drain thoroughly and get rid of any standing water in the tray or saucer. Wait until the sphag is almost dry down in the center of the pot before you water again. Some people use a bamboo skewer stuck into the pot to see when it is getting dry. Pull it out and check if the tip is moist. This may not fit a schedule. Drying will vary depending on temperature, humidity, air flow, etc.

Pesonally, I would repot it in a bark mix. For a first time Paph owner that can wait until spring when it isn't in flower if you think you can manage the sphag that long. But if there is every any sign of the sphag going bad or the plant starts to droop, repot immediately.

[NYCorchidman]

That is beautiful!!! Your husband has a good taste.

I'd like to point out some things mentioned regarding their habitat info.

Paphiopedilums are not generally found near water, but phrags are depending on the species.

Also, paphiopedilums are not forest floor deweller, or at least I would like to point out that while many do live on the ground, they are by no means shade plants. I'm afraid forest floor might give wrong idea to people who are not familiar with these plants.

The ones that make up this type of hybrid live on the ground in the open land with some short trees of tall grass, so they get lots of light, but just not direct sun.
One particular speices, villosum which is the main ingredient in making this hybrid is actually epiphyte in the wild living on the tree, but with moss and other debris at the roots.

I also recommend potting this up in more open mix and then water good.