Paph Mukoyama Green x (Liza Oliveless x Yearly Festival)

Paph Mukoyama Green x (Liza Oliveless x Yearly Festival)

first to bloom...

Paph malipoense

Paph malipoense

When are you going to bloom! It been 3 plus months, how long more should I wait?

 Basket of Paph malipoense..

Looks like having twins

 Big fat bud

 Another view of the twin buds

Another basket of Paph malipoense

Paph spicerianum

Paph spicerianum

Is this their blooming season? I have about 20 of them in spike!

Paph henryanum

Paph henryanum

Not the best in shape... sigh..!! My fault... ha..

Paph (Emulate x Janet Kunkle) x Hsinying Citron

Paph (Emulate x Janet Kunkle) x Hsinying Citron

Was at my little garden since morning, trying to set up the shelves and to take some pix of the newly bloom flowers but was welcomed by heavy rain! I had to delay in setting up the shelves! And only managed to take just one pix!

Paph henryanum

Paph henryanum

Am still trying to update as many blooming pixs as possible after being absence for about a month.(bear with me). Paph henryanum, a species found in the northern Vietnam and southern China (Yunnan). I used to keep smaller paphs in the past and henryanum was one of those that I bought in bulk.

I was not paying much attention to this species in the past as I was not sure if they will every spike or bloom in Singapore. Just left them at one corner, and would water them 2 or 3 times a week, but wasn't observing if they were really doing well or even budding.

I received an image (second pix)when I was away. It shocked me as I wasn't aware that they were spiking or budding at my place.

It was a surprised to me when I finally saw, not only one but many of them were in spike. They plants are very strong but some of the flowers are not as big as what I have seen before in the past. (could be that I was not feeding them enough fertilizer)

I will, for now on... take good care of them... ha ha.. I will feed them...


what is next to update? malipoense, fanaticum, maudiae..... but wait a moment, let me take some pixs first..

Paph vejvarutianum and Paph Nathaniel's Fatmama

Paph vejvarutianum

Finally have a chance to visit my small little garden after coming back from business trip. Another few paph vejvarutianum bloomed. Am happy with the result!

Paph Nathaniel's Fatmama

2 Paph Nathaniel's Fatmama decided to bloom! This one has better shape, but the color isn't strong enough.

2nd Nathaniel's Fatmama, which has better color but smaller flower, decided to cut off the flower. Let the plant grow stronger from now and hopefully the next bloom will be bigger and nicer shape.

Growing Slipper Orchids - Part 5

Sharing of my experience in growing Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)

First of all, thanks for all the emails, queries and feedbacks. I hope I have managed to share most of my slipper orchids experience.

Having a deformed bloomed can be disappointing, no doubt, I have experienced that before! We have to understand that not every blooms are perfect, sometime, you are rewarded with perfect, big flower on its first bloom; However, there are times that you are rewarded with deformed or crippled or small flower.

There are reasons why the flowers were not perfect:

1. The plant was infested with pests prior or during budding

2. Overdosed of pesticide

3. Plant was weak during budding

4. Bud was crushed during budding

5. Recently repotted

6. Change of growing environment

7. Change of cultural habit, watering, fertilizing, not enough lighting etc etc...

To avoid having small, deformed or crippled flower, I usually do not change the potting mix too often, so it's important to have good potting mix that can last a longer period. As I have noticed, too often in changing potting mix will cause the plant to go into hibernation mode, and likely to only see them to grow again after 3 to 6 months time. 

Worst if the plant is really to spike, that might cause the plant to take up more energy to push to flower. So, my personal view is that not to change the potting mix too often, let the plant to settle down first. 

Change only after the flower had wilted.

On another note, if the plant is seriously infested while budding. I will not hesitate to cut off the spike, reason being that I would rather take care of the plant than to look at the flower. Don't think anyone would really want to see a flowering sick plant.

Remember to give all the plants with enough space, that will help them to flower well and promote good air circulation too.

Oh, on a separate note, I just got to know that my Complex(es), spicerianum, henryanum, Maudiae, Yang-Ji Soaring, Nathaniel's Fatmama, Fanaticum, Susan Booth are spiking now, I can't wait to see them, Just have to wait for another few more days before I return from business trip..

Oh Man!! That is really a torture...                                                                                                          

Growing Slipper Orchids - Part 4

Sharing of my experience in growing Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum)

first of all, sorry for the late update, was away for almost 2 weeks and had been busy with work. (and am flying off in a short while for biz trip) Here I am, trying to update a bit more about the following:

Pests and diseases

One of the many things that I hated the most when growing slipper orchids - Pests! This is really a pain when seeing red mites and mealy bugs among the plants.

As I am growing most of the my slipper orchids outdoor, this has given plenty of opportunity for the pests to visit. How can I stop them from from coming and what have I been doing in getting rid of them?


Honestly, paphs are less susceptible to pests as the flower do not produce nectar. The common visitors are mites and mealy bugs. And why do these pests visit paphs? very much due to poor ventilation, and poor sanitation.


Always be very careful when using chemical usage, especially many of us are residing in apartment, do be mindful these chemicals may promote harms not just to ourself but also to our neighbours.


Over usage of the chemical may also cripple the flowers and the plants too.


For me, I use Neem oil or White Summer Oil for getting rid of the pests. I would mix approximately 10 drops of the above(either one) with approximately 10 drops of dishwashing liquid in every 1 liter water. Spray onto the plants thoroughly, min at least once every 2 weeks. (however, if the plant is seriously attacked by the pests, you may need to increase the frequency)


Wet condition would promote fungal and rot at the base or crown rot. So, it is encouraged to water the plant in the morning, so that any water that retains in the crown will be able to dry off at the end of the day. 


As many of us are working adults, which is difficult for us to water all our paphs before leaving for work, so, for myself, I water the plants in the evening during the week, and morning over the weekend, I would power up the fan to helping in drying up any excess water that remains in the crown. (so far so good)


Research had shown that cinnamon is a very effective fungicide, again, 10 drops of cinnamon essential oil with 10 drops of dishwashing liquid in every 1 liter of water. Apply this once every 2 weeks, spray thoroughly. (you may need to increase this application during the raining season)


Last but not least: 
1. Do not be afraid of destroying the plant if the plant is seriously infested.
2. prevention is better that cure.


Alright... Am going to fly off soon... do let me know if you wish me to write on other topic... but I can only do that when I am back in 2 weeks time..


Take care, and happy paphing...

Paph vejvarutianum

Paph vejvarutianum

Another vejvarutianum bloomed while I was away, this has better shape as compared to the one bloomed a few weeks ago..

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.

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...

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...

Paph Vanguard

Paph Vanguard

Hybrid

Second blooming this year,  somehow the flower looks slightly smaller compare to the first bloom.

Paph Sugar Suite

Paph Sugar Suite

Not a difficult plant to grow, I don't have that many, but am glad that many of them are blooming now..

Paph parishii

Pix taken during the day.. it's beautiful!

What is this?

Little furry creature! Wish to see it blooms successfully here in SG, if yes, I hope it can last till or after WOC.. ha ha!

Paph Chou-Yi Yuki

Paph Chou-Yi Yuki

Hybrid (nivuem x hangianum)

There are few currently in bloomed, I have to admit that not all of them are with nice shape or pouch. This is one of those with better shape!