'guide'. You may find that your particular orchid has not read this culture sheet and will want to march to the beat of a different drummer. If you have questions about your specific plant, feel free to ask us. Our email is sales@orchidenterprise.com Light: Paphiopedilums (Paphs.) are considered low light orchids, requiring only bright indirect light or dappled sunlight to grow and bloom. Mottled leaf Paphs (Maudiae types) require the least amount of light and will do well in a bright, shady east or west window. Even these lower light orchids will benefit from some direct sunlight in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low in the sky.
touch, it's getting too much light! Tip: If your Maudiae type paphs. look 'washed out' they are getting too much light. Phragmipediums, Multifloral and complex hybrids have clear green leaves and do better in brighter light than the Maudiae types. Multi-floral Paphs. enjoy very bright light and benefit greatly from some direct sunlight in the mornings or evenings. We actually grow ours near our Cattleyas, where it's VERY bright all day long. Water: Paphs. like to keep their roots moist but not wet. How often you water is dependent on how quickly the potting mix dries out. Clay pots will dry out much faster than plastic or glazed ceramic pots. When you water, completely wet the roots and allow the pot to drain. NEVER LET YOUR PLANT SIT IN WATER!!! Letting the plant set in water will rot the roots. SOME Phragmipediums (Phrags) are the exception. Many will do well if allowed to set in FRESH water for a day or two after watering. Be sure your water is fresh and clean. Fertilizers and Supplements: Water with clear water first then, once a month, water with a "well balanced", "all- purpose" fertilizer at 1/2 or 1/4 strength. A fertilizer is considered "All-Purpose" or "Well Balanced" when the three major components: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium are close to being equal. The three letters and numbers on the container of fertilizer indicate this. For example: N-P-K / 20-20-20. Or 5-7-6 etc. We have found no difference from one fertilizer to the next. Potting Mix: Small plants in 2 to 4-inch pots will do fine in a well drained seedling mix including hard wood chips, coconut husk chips, sponge rock, charcoal, etc. As your plant increases in size, so will the pot and so should the size of your potting mix. Plants in 5-inch pots or larger should be potted in a mix of medium size components. Never pot in a soiless mix like African Violet or Pro-Mix. Repotting: Most novice growers (and many experienced growers) hate to re-pot, for fear of killing the plant. Not re-potting, is the biggest mistake a grower can make. It's important the roots remain in a fresh, clean mix. Expert growers will re-pot their orchid BEFORE the potting mix begins to break down. Here's why: When the potting mix rots, the bacteria and fungus that breaks down the potting mix can attack the plants roots and eventually kill the plant. You will not know this is happening until it's too late. We recommend you re-pot your Paph. when you first get it, and every 12 months thereafter. NEVER OVER-POT. Re-pot your plant into a pot that will comfortably fit the roots and still allow for the mix around the root. If your plants have a good root system they can be re-potted while they are still in bloom without any setback or loss of flower. Our experience has been that Paphs. love to be re-potted. Temperature: Most Paphs. grow best with temperatures that you are most comfortable in. Therefore they make excellent house plants. Complex Hybrids will enjoy it on the cooler side, while multi-floral Paphs. will like it a bit warmer. All will do well between 60F and 80F A few words of wisdom: 1) Information provided here is a generalization and not specific to any species or hybrid. 2) Conditions suited to one orchid may not be the best for another even though they are in the same family. 3) What works for one person may not work for another, so try different ideas. 4) All orchids benefit from good air movement. 5) If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 6) You're not a real orchid grower unless you've killed your fair share of orchids. |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Site Links
| Cultural Information for Your Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Orchids Orchid Enterprise Inc. www.orchidenterprise.com |
