How to get paphiopedilum orchids to bloom!!

It's quite easy!!! These are the two I've had success with:
Paphiopedilum duo de citron (the yellow one)
Paphiopedilum ruby leopard ( the stripey spotty fabulous one!)
It's all about the right light...water...temperature!
They are easier than you might think!

[@MothOrchid-em3ms]

Waiting for mine to bloom. I’ve had them for more than 10 years, barely alive most of that time, it’s not dead. I finally figured them out for my hot Southern California climate. One bloomed for the first time in years, hopefully lots of blooms on both this year. Thanks for the story behind this orchid.

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh well done!!!! Once you find the sweet spot they’re easy….finding it isn’t!!!

[@anniebananie444]

I’ve watched numerous KZbin channels on paphs and yours by far has been so educational, I’ve learned so much, thank you❣️

[@helloplantlovers]

Oh thank you - still finding my way!

[@crystaldonica1593]

I like that you talk about climate 🙂 everyone has to adjust things accordingly.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching - and yes, I think your local climate is always the clincher!

[@user-cr3eb5wv8z]

Hi, Matthew, one of our Orchid group members shared your video links to our group. It's so great to watch your program and that's very helpful to me. Thank you.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you - and your orchid group - very much!!

[@baltschoolofdance]

I’m so obsessed with paph flowers because of their stunning appearance in addition to that magnificently brilliant pollination pathway design. Boggles my mind!

[@helloplantlovers]

They are extraordinary aren't they!

[@bugsandbrushes]

This was wonderful. Thank you :)

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@davidkozak9289]

Wow, I have a few paphs that I’m waiting to rebloom and they have the most amazing alien-like flowers. I always wondered why they resemble pitcher plants, and never thought of the purpose! Thank you for the info!

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@Wendy-zl8kv]

I just bought 2 that were 1/2 price because they had no blooms. I was so excited and yes I bought 2 I should have bought more but oh well I’m so glad I found your channel. I look forward to learning

[@helloplantlovers]

Thank you for finding me - the half price orchid with the dead flower is a great way to go! Good luck with them!

[@andreianifourcault2245]

Oh the yellow is magnificent! Both are beauties.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@NinjaOrchids]

Hi! Good to find your channel 👍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching!

[@lauraandbillyfennell1531]

Would you consider doing a repotting video on Paphs? I love your videos!!😍

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Yes indeed - when one needs a re-pot I'll definitely film it!

[@chinhphuc836]

I have been watching your video , it's very exciting to me. I am planting some slipper orchids recently, for the beginner . I don't know what kind of fertilizer you use for orchid ? May you share your experience to me. Now I use the fertilizer NPK 20-20-20 mixing with water to pray on orchids directly. Praying is good way or not ? How to fertilize to them ? Thank you very much for reply.

[@mesandz2623]

Enjoy listening- informative tips. I have 3 paphs two American hybrids and a kind Edward seedling- slow growing . I’m using nitrogen fertiliser they growing but not blooming .What fertiliser do you use?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! I think the key with these is getting the light and watering right! My fertiliser regime for these is fairly loose! I always pot my orchids with a few grains of a generic slow release fertiliser in the mix ( and mycorrhizal fungi!). I top that up once a year by sprinkling a few grains on the top of the medium, not near any roots. With the paphs I do that late autumn as they gear up to bud. Then during the summer maybe once every few weeks a diluted liquid (1/8th recommended) seaweed based fertiliser with the watering. And when you can see a bud forming a couple of waterings that include a soluable orchid bloom fertiliser - that is nitrogen heavy - to a 1/6-1/8th of the recommended amount. Good luck!

[@siegristsi]

How do you make the moist but not wet? When you said fertilizer every now and then, how exactly do you fertilizer them once a month or every two weeks? What fertilizer do you use? What strength like 1/4, 1/8, or half strength as described on the fertilizer label?

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi there, thanks for watching. Firstly, I think it's important to find what works for you and your conditions. For me I simply do let let them dry out completely, the medium needs to still have moisture about 1cm down if you poke your finger in. A little water often (except winter when they need less) will keep them in that state. And to be honest I fertilize when I remember - which from early spring to late summer would be about every 2-3 weeks. Again, that's my style and you might find your system works better. I use a seaweed based liquid fertilizer, and I dilute it but I don't measure it. I'd estimate about an eighth of the recommended dose on the bottle. Good luck.

[@meltdownyellow9810]

Hi there, I was just wondering where you got your plants as I also live in Melbourne! Thanks

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! A few places: *the plant fair at Bolobek in Macedon always first weekend in Oct *www.nickysslippers.com/ *I've seen them at Fitzroy Nursery on Brunswick St when they're in bloom (mid winter) *And ebay - there's generally some available on the AU site They're really well suited to Melbourne's climate so good luck!

[@Nonone41667]

Hi Mathew, thanks for your video. I bought a small Paph a year ago and I’m very excited as it has 2 flower spikes. Is it unusual considering the time of year (end of summer)? I’m just east of Melbourne. 😊

[@helloplantlovers]

I don't know if its unusual - but I wouldn't worry! A flowers a flower so well done and good luck!

[@lienlienchan]

I'm so glad you said they are not difficult to care for , but I had killed two beautiful paphiopedilum by letting it dry out. After listening to your video , I have decided to order another paphiopedilum , going to give it another try. The flowers are so gorgeous to not grow it, right ? thank you.

[@helloplantlovers]

Yes! Give it another go! Don't let it dry out - but also don't keep it too wet! A fine balance! Good luck!

[@lienlienchan]

@@helloplantlovers Ok. Thank you

[@barbaraboetsch7011]

I live in South Florida and I have a collection of seven pahiopedliums. I have been growing them indoors because the temperatures have been very hot. Also I have heard that you cannot get water into the crown so I hesitate putting my plants outdoors where the humidity is high and the temperatures would probably be OK in the shade but the irrigation is regular. . Do you have problems with crown rot when you have your plants outdoors and they get wet?

[@helloplantlovers]

Hi there - if mine are outside they are under cover so don't get rained on. I only give them a good hose down on a really hot day to clean the leaves but knowing that the water will evaporate really quickly and not linger in the crown. I've had no crown rot but I HAVE had root rot!

[@ninab0bina]

Curious connection indeed with your childhood! haha how fun to learn. I've been doing research on this flower as my husband just gifted me one. I loved your info & insight on these the most from what I've found. Also fun to learn he gifted me with one b/c he is greek and very close with family there, but I highly doubt he knows of it's greek origins! Can't wait to share with him. I am curious tho, about what are you humidity levels in Melbourne? summer & winter?

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! Melbourne is not a humid climate so I do mist most indoor orchids most days. Outside I just let them do their thing but I do splash water about on the floor when I water which creates humidity and on some that are particularly needing of humidity I sit them in a dish of pebbles with a little water in to create a bit of extra humidity too.

[@ninab0bina]

@@helloplantlovers Thank you so much, super helpful!

[@helloplantlovers]

@@ninab0bina ....and oddly, though the name is Greek - they are not a native of Greece!

[@ninab0bina]

@@helloplantlovers hahaha how peculiar!

[@steph6337]

Mine is growing a very tall pup, it's put on 6 sets of leaves and has bumps along the stem but doesn't put out a flower stalk. (It bloomed 2 years ago.) What could i be doing wrong? I feel like i have moisture and environment right. I don't fertilize regularly though maybe she's just hungry?

[@helloplantlovers]

Hmm....I don't madly fertilise mine. Regular feeding in the warmer months is fine. Some do flower in a two year cycle though! The other factor could be light. Try somewhere with brighter indirect light, the same place you might put an Oncidium. Good luck!

[@tomherbert6792]

Hi Matthew. Iv had 2 flowers on my paph ..but the leaves always look limp .? I water every 4 t0 5 days ..please help . London

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching! They often have a limp look! Especially plants with plain green leaves. The more mottled leaves tend to be perkier! Good luck!

[@wanbhashullai6338]

Beautiful species almost semilar climate of shillong meghalaya india but here we have only,insigni,fearianum, haisuitisimum,spicirianum very interesting demonstration thk

[@helloplantlovers]

Many thanks for finding me - and that's still a good selection! I've never heard of fairrieanum - looks wonderful!!! Going to have to try and find it!

[@baltschoolofdance]

Whoa!!!! Just looked up the fairrieanum and what a beauty!!! I must have one! 😂

[@janettegenge-kennedy]

Two years ago I bought a paph (yellow) in flower (1). Now 2 years later there is still 1 flower which shows no sign of dying. Is this normal? I am wondering if it is dead. I water it weekly and the leaves are still stiff but a bit paler green than they were. I am puzzled and would like your opinion.

[@helloplantlovers]

Thanks for watching. Wowser! Impossible to say without seeing it! Never heard of a single bloom lasting that long....unless it's silk! There is a yellow bloomed Psychopsis orchid that is sequential and the flower spike can last for 15 years - but with new successive flowers. A mystery.

[@janettegenge-kennedy]

@@helloplantlovers Thanks for your answer. I think I shall just cut off the flower spike and see if I can get another to grow. The original flower is now a bit papery, and plant has quite a few air roots, which I understand paphiopedilum don't have.

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

But their vegan 🤣 thanks❣️