|
|
|
|
December 1999 This month ONT will focus on the genus: Paphiopedilum
The genus Paphiopedilum is also known as the "Lady’s-slipper Orchid". Paphiopedilums are semiterrestrial plants and are known to be the Old World relatives of North American temperate-zone lady’s–slipper orchids, the cypripediums. Paphiopedilums are very popular because they are one of the best orchids for home growing, requiring only fairly bright light and normal home temperatures to provide some of the orchid kingdom's longest-lasting and most exotic flowers. There are several general types of paphiopedilums requiring slightly different cultural circumstances, though most should do well with the general care instructions given here. Slipper orchids can last eight to 10 weeks or more in bloom. LIGHT: Provide sufficient light for the plant because it is very important for healthy growth and flower production. PROVIDE: Bright light with no direct sunlight in the home, an east, west or shaded north window. In the greenhouse, provide about 30 percent full sunlight. If you grow your plants under artificial lights, place four 40-watt fluorescent tubes and two 40-watt incandescent bulbs directly over the plants. Foliage should be naturally semi-erect and firm, but not drooping. Dark green, limp foliage is an indication of too little light. TEMPERATURE: Mature plants need a temperature difference of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius between nights and days. PROVIDE nights of 13 to 16 degrees Celsius and days of 21 to 30 degrees Celsius. Seedlings need temperatures 3 to 5 degrees Celsius higher than mature plants. WATER: You should never allow mature paphiopedilum plants to dry out between waterings. Seedlings should be provided with even more moisture. HUMIDITY: Paphiopedilums need 60 to 70 percent humidity. If you grow your plants in the home, place them on a tray of moistened pebbles. If you grow your plants in the greenhouse, use a humidifier if the conditions are too dry. FERTILISER: Must he provided on a regular basis, because most potting media contain little fertiliser. Although paphiopedilums will grow and bloom with less fertiliser than will most other orchids. PROVIDE: The exact type of fertiliser 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) fertiliser weakly diluted on a weekly basis. Thus, fertilise every week at one quarter of the recommended dilution. POTTING: Should be done every one to two years before the potting mix breaks down too far. Potting can be done almost any time of the year, using a well-drained but water-retentive mix. PLEASE NOTE: The above information is only a general guideline on growing your Paphiopedilum. Next month we will focus on the genus Cattleya.
|
|
Please Note: The opinions & recommendations made in articles that appear on this website, are those of the individual authors, and not those of the Orchid Society of Northern Transvaal (ONT). The ONT neither adopts nor endorses such opinions & recommendations and disclaims all responsibility for them. This includes products advertised on this website. |
