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Mailing Address
East Everglades
Orchid Society
15220 SW 232 St.
Miami, FL 33170
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Paphiopedilum Culture
by David Schaffter
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 Unlike many cultivated orchids, paphiopedilums are semi-terrestrial plants. They make perfect house plants, needing only bright light or very little sun. Being a terrestrial, they grow on the forest floor underneath trees in heavy shade. They also grow and flower well under artificial lights. Their flowers are long lasting, staying in bloom 8-10 weeks or more. Since they have no pseudobulbs, they need more constant moisture than other orchids. Fertilize less often than other orchids, and use a weaker concentration.
TEMPERATURE
There are two groups of paphiopedilums ¾ green-leaf and mottled-leaf. Mottled-leaf types should be about 10° warmer at night than green-leafed plants. This type is ideal for South Florida. Paphiopedilums can take our hot summer days of 95° if shading, humidity, and good air circulation are increased and the nights are cooler. Night temperatures of 50° to 60°F are best, but they will do OK with warmer evenings. Daytime temperatures of 75° to 85°F are ideal but some paphs will tolerate warmer conditions.
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|  LIGHT
Paphs like bright light, but very little full sun. Grow them next to your phalaenopsis. Most windowsills offer the right light conditions, but give more shade on a south-exposed window. On a screened-in patio, make sure they get 70% to 85% shade. Foliage should be semi-erect and firm, not drooping. Limp, dark green foliage indicates too little light.
WATER
Paphs are like phalaenopsis in that they both have no water storage capacity. It is important they are kept moist year round, letting only the top layer of potting medium to become dry. A humidity of 40% to 50% is ideal. In the home, keep pots on a tray of moist pebbles to increase humidity. As in phalaenopsis, water standing in the crown of the leaves causes rot.
 FERTILIZER
Fertilizer must be provided on a regular basis because most potting media provides little nutrients. Paphs will grow and flower quite well with less fertilizer than other orchids. Use a good balanced water-soluble blend of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 fertilizer. Fertilize biweekly with one quarter the recommended dosage.
POTTING
Potting should be done every 2 years or before medium breaks down too far. Potting seems to be more stressful for these types of orchids, so it should be kept to a minimum. It can be done almost any time of year, using a well-drained but water-retentive mix. |
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