The Mutant
Well-Known Member
So hi,
I'm very new to the wonderful world of Paphs, so new that I've only seen them on pictures...
I'm a Phal nut, though a newbie when it comes to those too, that has decided to branch out to another genus and I've recently booked my very first Paph. I've no idea if it was a good beginner's choice, or if I might have doomed it to a premature death. I had booked a Rosy Dawn too, but after being enlightened about its environmental (you guys differ between cultur, environment, and conditions or?) demands I realized I couldn't possibly buy it since I'm just a windowsill grower.
The one I'm waiting for is a Paphoipedilum ceramense (which apparently does not exist) which also seems to be called Paph. bullenianum var. ceramensis according to a kind member of Orchid Board.
My plan is to place this guy together with the Phal crew (hopefully they won't bully it too much) in my east-facing window. I was thinking of putting it in the same mix I use for my Phals, which consists of, pine bark (fine grade as in contrast to the Phals), sphagnum, and perlite. Should I add some limestone to the mix?
I also plan to water it with the same type of water I use for my Phals, tap-water (dH levels approximately 3, pH-levels around 8) with some citric acid added to lower the pH-level, and also with fertilizer added at every watering (this because I'll forget it otherwise) but at 1/4 of the recommended dosage. I read some posts about fertilizer and these guys, and if I've understood correctly, they don't seem to like the 5-5-5 fertilizer I use for my Phals. I have another fertilizer with the ratio being 4-3-5. Though being far from optimal is this one better for the Paph? Also, I'll water it more often than my Phals because I've understood Paphs like being watered a bit more often than Phals.
The temperatures range from 18C to 28C (64.4F to 82.4F) depending on the season and time of the day. The humidity fluctuates between 50-70% (depending on if I have put some fresh and moist towels over the radiator or not - poor students do what they can
), but I try to keep it at a stable level at at least 50%.
Does these conditions sound good to you? Anything else I should think about?
I'm also considering to buy a Paph. gratrixianum (here's a link to the vendor's page:Paph. gratrixianum ) for my next vict... I mean Paph! I've read here that it's supposed to be a good beginner's Paph.
I'm very new to the wonderful world of Paphs, so new that I've only seen them on pictures...
I'm a Phal nut, though a newbie when it comes to those too, that has decided to branch out to another genus and I've recently booked my very first Paph. I've no idea if it was a good beginner's choice, or if I might have doomed it to a premature death. I had booked a Rosy Dawn too, but after being enlightened about its environmental (you guys differ between cultur, environment, and conditions or?) demands I realized I couldn't possibly buy it since I'm just a windowsill grower.
The one I'm waiting for is a Paphoipedilum ceramense (which apparently does not exist) which also seems to be called Paph. bullenianum var. ceramensis according to a kind member of Orchid Board.
My plan is to place this guy together with the Phal crew (hopefully they won't bully it too much) in my east-facing window. I was thinking of putting it in the same mix I use for my Phals, which consists of, pine bark (fine grade as in contrast to the Phals), sphagnum, and perlite. Should I add some limestone to the mix?
I also plan to water it with the same type of water I use for my Phals, tap-water (dH levels approximately 3, pH-levels around 8) with some citric acid added to lower the pH-level, and also with fertilizer added at every watering (this because I'll forget it otherwise) but at 1/4 of the recommended dosage. I read some posts about fertilizer and these guys, and if I've understood correctly, they don't seem to like the 5-5-5 fertilizer I use for my Phals. I have another fertilizer with the ratio being 4-3-5. Though being far from optimal is this one better for the Paph? Also, I'll water it more often than my Phals because I've understood Paphs like being watered a bit more often than Phals.
The temperatures range from 18C to 28C (64.4F to 82.4F) depending on the season and time of the day. The humidity fluctuates between 50-70% (depending on if I have put some fresh and moist towels over the radiator or not - poor students do what they can
), but I try to keep it at a stable level at at least 50%.Does these conditions sound good to you? Anything else I should think about?
I'm also considering to buy a Paph. gratrixianum (here's a link to the vendor's page:Paph. gratrixianum ) for my next vict... I mean Paph! I've read here that it's supposed to be a good beginner's Paph.
