Paphiopedilum
Paphiopedilum (paf-ee-oh- PED-ih-lum), or Slipper Orchid, is also an excellent choice for the beginner. Themost unusual, yet beautiful flowers in the orchid family can be found in this genus of nearly 60 species. They originate within a range from Northern India to Southern
China and Southeast Asia and the Philippines.
Paphiopedilums, or paphs,range in color from white to green, yellow, brown, pink and red to almost black. The flowers are often mottled with spots, stripes, hairs and other strange growths. The flowers consist of a pouch-like sac with one large, showy sepal at the top. In some species, the foliage is beautifully mottled. Paphs, like Phalaenopsis, are low-light plants (1,500 foot candles). As with Phalaenopsis orchids, four 40-watt fluorescent bulbs and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs placed 8 inches above the plant, and setting a timer for 14 hours per day can be used to add sufficient light. Generally, mottle-leaved Paphiopedilums are warm-growing plants, preferring temperatures in the 80s during the day and in the 60s at night.
Plain-leaved paphs prefer cooler temperatures, low 80s to high 70s during the day, and 50s at night. Nighttime winter temperatures should range from 55-60F. Paphs require a humidity range of 60 to 70 percent. In the home, place the plants on a tray of gravel filled with water, or use a humidifier to increase the humidity. Paphs should be watered thoroughly, and they should never be allowed to dry out. Paphs should be grown in narrow, deep plastic containers. A growing mix consisting of 50 percent medium-to-fine fir bark, 25 percent coarse quartz sand and an equal amount of course perlite and milled leaf mold or chopped sphagnum moss. Fertilize weekly with one-quarter strength 10-10-10 or 12-12-12.
Paphs should be flushed with plain water monthly. Paphiopedilums can be repotted anytime of year, and they should be repotted every
one to two years.
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