Paph. fairrieanum

[Cordulus]

"Mini Red" x "Centaur," not currently in bloom.

I bought this one at a show (with a fair bit of trepidation) as a single-growth plant some years ago. I really wanted to try the species but was put off by all the horror stories it had amassed from growers. After giving it some serious thought, I decided to pass up a nice niveum cross in its favor. I was actually expecting it to croak, but I think it decided to disprove my ignorance by being both a strong grower and a steady bloomer.

Watering this one is somewhat of an art form. It wants to be moist, but neither soggy nor dry. The only time I let it get drier is during the winter, when the temperatures are lower. It is also repotted into fresh medium each spring to keep the roots from having to languish in stale conditions. Watering aside, I haven't found it to be a particularly difficult species to keep. It doesn't care how low my humidity is and shrugs off hot spells with grace, given good air circulation and some shading.

Also, pay no attention to that window. Nope...it's not broken. No siree. That's just a figment of your imagination.

 

[DrLeslieEe]

I say well done!

You have done everything that is required for this species. Particularly the balance of the moisture around the roots.

Keep on chuggin'.

 

[Ozpaph]

it has very nice colour. Im glad you can grow it; I cant.

 

[Cordulus]

I say well done!

You have done everything that is required for this species. Particularly the balance of the moisture around the roots.

Keep on chuggin'.

Thank you! This one's on its way to becoming a monster plant.

it has very nice colour. Im glad you can grow it; I cant.

If I may ask, what where some of the difficulties you encountered when growing this species?