CULTIVATION OF PAPHIOPEDILUM FOR BEGINNERS
Paphiopedilums are some of the humicoles growing in the upper layer of the soil made up of plant detritus. For others, they can grow lithophytically, the roots well sunk in the crevices of rocks where there are pockets of humus, or terrestrial with roots plunging into the ground and epiphytes in the forks of trees lined with Plant detritus These are orchids with little or no water storage potential, the complexity is to find the right balance to have a humid but draining and breathable substrate. We will discuss the conditions favorable to the hybrids most often available and encountered.
AMERICAN TYPE PAPHIOPEDILUM
TEMPERATURE
cold temperate a temperature range between 13 to 25 degrees is perfect more or less will not be harmful provided appropriate watering.
THE WATER
They are calcareous and can be sprinkled with tap water as long as it is not extremely hard. Soft rainwater or reverse osmosis is also suitable for them. Care should be taken to provide an appropriate fertilizer and that the substrate is buffered with seaweed or dolomite.
EXPOSURE
Bright light without direct sun from February to November. Always check the color of your leaves which is your best indicator. A very light green leaf will indicate high exposure and a very dark green leaf will indicate a lack of light.
PAPHIOPEDILUM TYPE MAUDIAE
TEMPERATURE
warm temperate
They like indoor temperatures ideally 16 to 28 degrees.
THE WATER
They are rather acidophilic and thrive in a substrate with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5.
They like soft rainwater or preferably osmosis. However, sprinkling with water from
tap is not going to kill your plant as long as it is occasional.
EXPOSURE
They are plants which like an average luminosity, a window in the east or the west in.
avoiding full sun is to be preferred. Full south does not suit them. From February to November,
their foliage is mottled and it is a good indicator, the mottles should be clearly visible.
PAPHIOPEDILUM TYPE PINOCCHIO
TEMPERATURE
warm temperate
They like indoor temperatures ideally 16 to 28 degrees.
THE WATER
They are calcareous and can be watered with tap water provided it is not
extremely hard. Soft rainwater or reverse osmosis is also suitable for them. It will be necessary to ensure
provide suitable fertilizer and the substrate is buffered with seaweed or
dolomite.
EXPOSURE
Bright light without direct sun from February to November. Always check the color of your leaves
which is your best indicator. A very light green leaf will indicate high exposure and
a very dark green leaf will indicate a lack of light.
THE SUBSTRATE
There are 1001 substrate recipes!
Here is the one I use for almost all paphiopedilums:
-7.5 parts of bark
orchiata or pinus radiata (available on the site)
-1.5 parts of pumice or pozzolana or perlite
-0.5 parts of polyurethane foam
WHEN SHOULD I WATER?
When the surface of the pot dries on 2 to 3 cm it is time to water again!
good culture !!
Thanks to Aurélien C. for his culture sheet