Fatmama-Paphs' Link: September 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Paph godefroyae

Paph godefroyae

Can wait for it to bloom completely, going to miss my paph for the next 2 weeks plus.

Paph vejvarutianum

Paph vejvarutianum

The species was in trade for about 30 years plus ago, and was known as Paph charlesworthii var kanchanaburi. It was described in 2003 as a new found species.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Growing Slipper Orchids - Part 3

Sharing of my experience in growing Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)

Fertilizer

Now, am going to share a little more on how and when to apply fertilizer for our beloved paphs. For me, I don't use any organic fertilizer for my paphs, I used to apply organic type of fertilizer, however, it was just too strong for the plants. I tried to cut down the application, but it just didn't help much, instead, I killed some of my paphs after a few months in applying organic fertilizer.

In short, paphs do not require a lot of "vitamin", all they need are just very mild, for me, I would apply just simply 20% of the normal usage for other plants on weekly basis.

All purpose formula type of fertilizer is good enough (20-20-20).

To Be Continued...

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Growing Slipper Orchids - Part 2

Sharing of my experience in growing Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)

Best Potting Mix?

What will be the best potting mix? Is there one? I don't know.. I used to mix different type of potting material together, regardless which one to be more or less. I have to say that, nope! I was not that successful compare to those days in Hammond, and the paphs were not doing great here in SG when I brought some back. But now almost all of my paphs are very happy with the new potting mix I've prepared for them. (at least seem to me they are happier now)

What potting materials do we need for slipper orchids?

perlite

pumice

charcoal

fern root

leca

etc etc...

Here, I am going to share my (secret) ingredient, one of the slipper orchids' best friends, I am not saying this potting mix is the best in town, but it works for my slipper orchids!

Slipper orchids' recipe(potting mix) Just as simple as ABC for me, 60% to 70% of NZ bark and 30% to 40% of perlite, pumice, fern root, leca and etc etc...

So far, this ingredient works very well for all my slipper orchids, I guess it has something to do with the growing environment that they are in now (mainly out-door) and I can see how established their root are in less than 6months after potting them.

Light

I am not a very technical person, so don't ask me how many foot-candles or how many watts required.

As a general rule, morning sun is alright till about 11 noon hours, preferably to let them stay in location where they receive indirect sun light or filtered light.

Direct sun will burn their leaves, so, please do not leave paphs directly under the sun for long hours!

Watering

How often do you need to water them? when is the best time to water them? Million dollar questions!

I have always been practicing in watering them 2 to 3 times a week, depending on the weather condition. Water 3 times a week if the weather is dry and hot, if it's wet and windy condition, twice a week. If rainy season? no need to water! ha!

Much as possible to water them in the morning, coz should there be any water retains in the crown, it will dry up during the day. If you water in the evening, do try to ensure that water do not stay inside the crown, as that may result in crown rot.

To be continued...

Growing Slipper Orchids - Part 1

Sharing of my experience in growing Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)

Don't want to go in depth as to what is slipper orchid in this update, but every much wanting to share my personal experience in growing them.

I had been growing slipper orchids for the last few decades but to be a serious hobbyist was something I didn't think of until when I spent my times in US back in the early nineties, there was where I started collecting more complex hybrids than species. They were with big flowers and usually bloomed once a year during autumn season.

When I moved back to Singapore, I had to give up most of them and only kept a few that I really liked.

But they were not doing so well for the first few years in SG as compared to those days while in Hammond (a small little town which was about 2 hours drive away from Chicago). Yup, the plant is still around, and it's doing better now. And this is what I really want to share in this update.

I will try to share as much as I can, do give me your feedback if you find that my way of keeping them is unconventional(which can be very very true).

Growing them from flasks

Usually, growing slipper orchids from flask will take approximately 18 to 24 months to reach maturity for brachys or 24 to 48 months for multi floral type, which, normally not many growers like to try on them, as they are relatively slow in growing. However, there are some growers who are into getting the best crossing or higher grade paphs would purchase (better quality)flasks.

So, what will be the best time to remove the seedlings from flask?

1. when the seedlings almost fill the flask
2. when the agar is depleting
3. when the lower leaves are turning brown
4. when the roots system are rather established

After removing the seedling out from flask, try to separate the seedlings(it is alright if you can't) and remove the agar, much as possible wash the seedlings with water and let them dry up a bit before potting them.

You can pot these seedlings individually or pot them in the compot. I usually pot the bigger seedlings in the individual pot, and smaller seedlings in the compot.

And what type of potting mix should be used? Some would grow the seedlings in sphagnum moss, some not. For me, I use the smaller size of the potting mix, I felt that the seedlings do better (for me) in my growing environment.

Place these seedlings in the shaded area with good ventilation, do not expose them to too much strong light(especially sun light), and only water them once or twice a week as smaller size potting mix will be able to provide moist to the plants.

You are likely not able to see much improvement/growing in them during the first few months, not too worry, the seedlings just need to get used to the new environment.

And when do you need to re-pot them? I really do not suggest anyone to happily re-potting the seedlings, if you do, you might stress them up, and result in further slowness in growing. I usually only re-pot them when they almost reach maturity stage.

To be continued...