Paphiopedilum - what has worked for me

[@rose2fame1]

Good morning Rachel, your Paphiopedilum orchids look very beautiful. I agree that they take a long time from the day that you first see a bud till the day that the flower eventually opens. Almost as if they are telling us we are worth the wait. And they are.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

😊

[@blancaacosta333]

Hi Rachel. You have a very nice collection of paph's. I don't own many slippers, just two, and the other pair on my feet. Lol. I think I am going to follow your lead and top them off with spaghnum moss. (Oh, but not the ones on my feet) lol. Have a great weekend.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

No, don't put sphagnum on your feet 😊

[@SHARONSHORTOrchidsandGarden]

Thanks for sharing Rachel. I just purchased a load of 7.98 cents of Paphiopedilums on Saturday and needed some tips. Happy growing.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

What an amazing bargain! Wow, hope they do really well for you, Sharon

[@SHARONSHORTOrchidsandGarden]

@@GardeningatDouentza Thanks Rachel and happy growing..

[@Nulife23]

Wow...these are beautiful! It's dangerous watching your videos! I want to try these too!

[@GardeningatDouentza]

😉 😊

[@kellyduguay3368]

That's a lot of paphiopedilums! Considering all the spent flower spikes, you're doing something right! I like the idea of the moss, I have two that push their roots a bit too high. And wow some are so slow! I have a species (moquetteanum) that hasn't thrown a new fan in three years, it's working on it's annual leaf! But when they flower it's worth the wait.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

😀

[@larab5214]

Well, I appreciate your honesty. I think it's our mistakes that we learn the most from (and other ppls mistakes!). That American hybrid is stunning. I know what you mean about how long they take to bloom.... I have one budblast last year and that was devastating..... (I only have 2 paphs, both mottled leaves. I figured if all I'm going to see is leaves most the time, they better be attractive leaves-- haha!)

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Yeah, that is the advantage of plants with gorgeous leaves 😊

[@richardlawton1023]

How do you think Coco husk chips would do inplace of the moss? Great video. Many thanks

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I have no experience with coco husk so I'm the wrong one to ask.

[@tivaa.7293]

Hi there! Can you tell me a little bit more about your potting mix for your paphs? I do feel mine isn’t quite wet enough

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Try this video... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2qzY6uPlJeHo7Msi=zmGdSUvgH6MtzrPN

[@astroboyace]

What was your original media mix?

[@richardlawton1023]

What about the feeding?? Thanks

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I feed once a week with a monthly flush. My fertiliser has changed over the years. I have used Orchid Focus in the past but at the moment I'm using a German brand, at manufacturer's recommendation.

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

What a delicate beautiful bloom. Worhwhile such a wait. My pinocchio is forming a new set of buds now. Last year I had to cut the spike after 12 blooms because it was getting too long and flowers getting smaller. How do you do with yours? I would like to know if I did well or if there is a better way. Thank you Rachel, loved your collection.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Personally I let plants continue to flower but I know that is not everyone's approach. Some people can't abide the secondary spikes on phals, for example, as they're all pointing in weird directions. But I let they bloom 😊

[@moonorchid564]

I used to have a paphiopedilum but it was a goner. I'm not sure what I did wrong, but after watching this video I will try another one if they are available for sale. Thank you for sharing.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Good luck!

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

"my goodness, it took so long for this to actually open, it's like watching paint dry..." tell me about it. I had plants come into spike and finish blooming in the time it took from when I thought the bud was mature and ready to open until it actually opened. But, the bloom lasted two and a half months, so I guess I shouldn't complain.

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I hope mine lasts for two and a half months!

[@BBQNBLUES]

I too only have 6 Paphs but have been _blessed with Blooms contrary to being ignored. ha Mine are growing in a East window, on humidity trays where temp fluctuations can be as cold as 62f in the Winter.... Will take your advice & add some Moss to the tops (since I forget to water them often).

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Thanks for watching and sharing and happy growing.

[@orchidemprs]

Hi Rachel, totalling different question! Just writing you as you mentioned about dividing your Bob Betts this year. I would love to buy a cutting if you do. Thanks. Evex

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Sorry, I won't be dividing Bob this year.

[@remmy5549]

Can anyone answer me please T.T what does the middle of the orchid called? I've search every where for this and i still cant find any info

[@GardeningatDouentza]

What do you mean by the middle of the orchid?

[@YnseSchaap]

So many different ways to grow the plant, I got the advice from Ed to treat them as epiphytes 😁

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Well, yes. There are so many different methods, even just on KZbin. We all just need to find what works for us 😊

[@crutcrutcrut]

How often do you water and feed them ?

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Once a week for watering and weakly every other watering for fertilising.

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

I'd like to have one that has grown big enough to even THINK about dividing it. I may try moss around the top of the plant - I've lost roots that have pushed out 'high' and not got into media. (And whoever is playing drums - don't give up the 'day-job' (teehee) I started out playing drums before I took up base and I switched because my drums were difficult to carry on my shoulder.)

[@GardeningatDouentza]

Yeah, the moss is great to attract those roots that decide to grow too high. That's Sam on the drums, practising for his exam 😊

[@michaelaartner3932]

My heart is beating for paphs!

[@罗芃-j2r]

nice Paph! What’s your lowest temperature in your home? 😄😄

[@GardeningatDouentza]

I guess my lowest temperature would be about 12 indoors but it is usually 15 at night.

[@kleenbeats]

The “American hybrid” looks like an insigne x

[@miche7032]

👍🏼👍🏼