Just booked Paph. Ceramense and Paph. Rosy Dawn
 

I wonder how that happened... :whistling

Since I'm a complete and utter newbie when it comes to Paphiopedilum, I have never even seen one in real life, I have a question or maybe two:

Since I've been eying this genera for some time I've read a bit about it. To my limited understanding it seems as though they are very similar to Phals when it comes to their environment and their care. So far the only difference I've been able to find is that they are terrestrial and thus demand a bit different potting medium, also that they seem to like being re-potted more regularly than Phals (at least once a year). I was thinking to give them the same medium as my Phals (pine bark, sphagnum, and perlite), except that I'll change the bark to a fine-grade one. They also seem to prefer being watered more often, or maybe this is just my imagination. :scratchhead:

So, is this a good start? I'll have them standing together with my Phals in one of my east-facing windows and provide some supporting light during the winter months.

Apparently the Ceramense is a bit tricky to get to bloom so we'll see if I'll have any luck with it (the foliage is gorgeous on it :love: ).

So, um, this was a totally unexpected purchase... I mean, I knew a Paph would move into my flat one day, but not two at the same time and not as soon as this. :shock: Darn Swedish Orchid forum... :biggrin:

heh :) Your orchid collection expanding beyond phals was... inevitable. :D

Paphs are indeed pretty similar to phals - and yes, they do like more water and more frequent re-potting. They particularly like being in small pots; the smaller the pot is (within reason) the better!

Depending on the species in the ancestry, many quite like some limestone or something similar in the mix; you can omit this with occasional calcium and magnesium supplements; a good fertiliser with micronutrients should supply these anyway.

They're not mostly truly terrestrial; they often live in the very surface of leaf-litter which isn't quite the same. Your phal mix should be fine for them.

Wow, Rosy Dawn was registered way back in 1935! I couldn't find ceranense.
Is the latter perhaps Paph. bullenianum var. ceramensis ?

Whoops! Spelling error in the add led to me continuing spelling it wrong... It's supposed to be Paph. Ceramense and nothing else.

To be honest, I have no idea. According to a post on Slipper Talk where a picture of "my" plant (yup, it's the Paph in question apparently) it's a Paph bullenianum var celebrensis. I can't find it when I google on the name though. Here's a link to my pretty one: Paphiopedilum ceramense - Slippertalk Orchid Forum- The best slipper orchid forum for paph, phrag and other lady slipper orchid discussion!

Found the Rosy Dawn on Slippertalk as well: Rosy Dawn - Slippertalk Orchid Forum- The best slipper orchid forum for paph, phrag and other lady slipper orchid discussion! It's so darn cute!

After reading the thread on SlipperTalk and comparing the photos, I think that you're right Discus. It looks to my complete amateur eyes like it's probably a Paph. bullenianum var. ceramensis. :scratchhead:

I haven't even paid for it yet and there's already something odd about it!
:rofl:

I don't care what it is honestly, as long as I get it home and can cuddle with it! :love:

It looks a bit like appletonianum only darker and without spots on the petals.

There have been quite a few names applied in the Paph. appletonianum/bullenianum group with little consensus on what species or varieties are actually valid. Paph ceramense is one of these (note lower case, it is a species). It is the same plant that is sometimes called Paph. bullenianum var. ceramensis.

The generalization about Paphs being similar in care to Phals is accurate as a very broad generalization, and you can go with that, including the somehwat finer medium and more even moisture for Paph. ceramense. But there are several distinct cultural groups, and Rosy Dawn really needs brighter light (almost Cattleya level) and cooler (50F) somewhat dryer winter conditions.

Good luck with your new Paphs. Careful, they're addictive, like any other orchids.

Thanks for clearing that up! It was like Discus suggested then. :nod:
Wow, a species Paph, I'm glad. :biggrin: Should I add limestone to the medium as Discus also suggested?

Okay, since I'm completely uninterested in Cattleyas I have no idea what type of light level they demand, but an east-facing window is not enough I assume. Unfortunately I can't provide such low temperatures indoors during winter, and putting it outside is completely out of the question. I'll have to ask the seller under what conditions he has kept it in. If it has been kept like this, then I have to cancel the purchase. :(

Catt light runs around 2500 to 3000 foot candles. I see lights in your future.... :rofl:

I've attached a picture of my Rosy Dawn. I've had the plant for 10 years now, a faithful bloomer and still one of my very favourites. Good luck with your new babies!

:)

The Rosy Dawn is such a beauty, but unfortunately I've cancelled the purchase. :( I got a reply to my question and the seller has grown it in the environment it needs (very low temps during winter) and since I'm just a windowsill grower, this is impossible to do. Putting it outside during winter is a no-go because of the too cold temperatures and lack of light.

But I'll enjoy my ceramense twice as much instead! :biggrin:

Sorry, but I disagree with those conditions for Rosy Dawn. My room drops to a minimum of 60 deg. F at night and up to 70 to 85 in the daytime, depending on the season. Too bad you changed your order!

:)

Unfortunately I can't even provide that temperature (my Phals would freeze to death if it got that cold during winter I think). The lowest temp I've measure so far during the night is 64.4F and considering what environment it's used to, I don't think it'll like living with me. It's better if someone with a greenhouse can buy it instead of me. :nod:

I grow lots of plants on the windowsill and I found that during winter times when it is freezing outside - the space very close to the glass is much colder than the rest of the room, especially at night when there is no sun to warm it up.
It actually made me move my warmth loving vandas a lot further from the glass.
So if the winter is cold in your country, you could be fine with that paph on the windowsill close to the glass.

Yes, it can get pretty cold here during winter (like -20C), but the temperature doesn't drop to the required one anyway, not even close to the glass in the windows (my Phals wouldn't have liked that one bit). Nope, Rosy Dawn is still a no-go. ;)

I get this strange feeling that people are trying to convince me to increase my orchid collection... :hmm

I don't think anyone is trying to convince you to buy it. Just perhaps letting you know that those may not be it's actual preferred growing temps. This is directly from OrchidWiz under the Rosy Dawn culture section:

Paph. Rosy Dawn is composed of species of which 100% take warm temperatures, 72% take cool temperatures and 13% take hot temperatures. Grow this hybrid in cool to warm conditions, or 58°F to 75°F at night.

What this tells me is it really doesn't care what night temps are like. Draw your own conclusions.

I was just kidding. ;)

But no. I don't dare to try since it's quite expensive and also since it seems to be used to the cold temperatures during the winter period. It's my first Paph, my first venture into the unknown so to speak, and to buy a potential prickly Paph is not good for my self esteem I think.

To be honest, I think the Ceramense might be challenging enough. :shock: