Paphiopedilum dianthum

Hello Stephen, this is a very beautiful Paph, hope mine turn out that great. May be you can give me some info. on how to grow them. I purchased my first ever Paphs - 5 of them last month, and I am having problems with the bottom 2 or 3 leaves turning yellow as soon as they grow a new leaf. I keep them in medium to low light 80 F during day and 70 F at night. They are young plants in 2.5" pots and are not going to bloom until next year. I have never grown Paphs, am I doing something wrong? Here is a photo of my Paphs taken by Carter & Holmes Orchids and two photos I took, please notice the one I am holding in the foreground, it has 3 leafs dying and no new leaf growing. The other 4 did the same thing, but are growing new leafs. I'm really worried about them!

-John-

 

Hi Stephen, the Paphs came in a Cypress or Fir Based media with fine particulates to help hold moisture evenly. C & H Orchids recommends watering twice a week and feeding every other week. I drench them with tap water every Sunday, and if they are dry by Wednesday, then I water them again lightly if they need it, sometimes I just spray them real good. Could be as you said, that they loose the bottom leafs as they grow another one, which the other 4 are doing. However, the one I showed in the front of the photo had 8 leafs and was the largest out of 5 and is loosing 4 more leafs which will leave only 2 left, and it is not growing a leaf. I think I will cut back on water to once a week and see what happens because they get a lot of humidity day & night 80 % and plenty air movement. What medium do you use and how much water do you give your Paphs ? Thanks for your reply, John

 

Thanks Stephen I appreciate it!

 

Looks great to me.

 

paph haters!? where!!

 

they're still lurking- excellent color on the dianthum, a bit more delicate than the parishiis