Paphiopedilum

(paff-ee-oh-PED-ih-lum)

The Lady's-Slipper Orchid

Paphiopedilums are the Old World relatives of North American temperate-zone lady slipper orchids, the cypripediums.  Perhaps no other orchid excites the same dedication as do these semiterrestrials.  And, happily, "paphs" are one of the best orchids for home growing, requiring only fairly bright light and normal home tem- peratures to provide some of the orchid kingdom's longest-lasting and most exotic blooms.  There are classically several general types of paphiopedilums requiring slightly different cultural regimes, though all should do well with the general care instructions given here.  Slipper orchids can last eight to ten weeks or more in bloom.

LIGHT
Sufficient light is important for healthy growth and flower production. 
Provide bright light, no direct sun.  In the home, an east, west or shaded south window.  In a greenhouse, about 30% full sun.  Under lights, four 40 watt fluorescent tubes and two 40 watt incandescent bulbs directly over plants.  Foliage should be naturally semierect, and firm, not drooping.  Dark green, limp foliage indicates too little light.

TEMPERATURE
Mature plants need a 15 to 20 F difference between night and day.
Provide nights of 55 to 60 F; days of 70 to 85 F.  Seedlings need temperatures 5 to 10 F higher than mature plants.

WATER
Mature plants should never dry out between waterings.  Seedlings need even more constant attention to moisture.

 HUMIDITY
Paphiopedilums need 60 to 70%.  In the home, place on trays of moistened pebbles.  In greenhouse, use a humidifier if conditions are too dry.

FERTILIZER
Must be provided on a regular basis because most potting media have little, although paph- iopedilums will grow and flower with less fertilizer than will most orchids.   The exact fertilizer you use will depend on the mix in which your plant is growing.   A good general rule is to use a balanced (10-10-10, 12-12-12 or similar ratio) fertilizer "weakly, weekly."  That is, fer- tilize every week at one quarter of the recom- mended dilution.

POTTING
Should be done every one to two years before mix breaks down too far.  Can be done almost any time of year, using a well-drained but water-retentive mix.
Phragmipediums
These are grown pretty much the same way with one exception, and that is WATER, WATER and more WATER.  We find that Phragmipediums never want to dry out!   As a matter of fact you can grow them in any tray of water, always keeping the tray full.  Of course there are always exceptions.  There are three species, Phragmipedium caudatum and wallisii we find like to grow a little drier, and xerophyticum which we water the same way as Paphiopedilums.  The only other thing we do is that we like to feed them heavier during the summer.
The above Paphiopedilum culture sheet is provided by The American Orchid Society.  The AOS is the world's leading provider of information about and related to orchids.  If you are not already a member, we strongly urge you to become one.  For further information on joining you can contact the American Orchid Society at 6000 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida 33405-4199 or call 561-585- 0654.

Illustrations by Marion Sheehan