A
atahualpa
Guest
While I'm not new to growing orchids, I've just purchased my first two Paphiopedilum species (micranthum and niveum) and would like to ask all of you pros a couple of questions about their culture. 1) I use reverse osmosis water on all of my orchids, and fertilize with the "Michigan State University" formula fertilizer. For Paph. micranthum and niveum, would it beneficial to include any dolomite lime pellets in the potting mix to bring the ph level down (I grow in very clean coarse coconut husks which are soaked overnight in distilled H2O and rinsed at least three times prior to use)? 2) How much sun can these two species take? Will a sheltered eastern exposure (direct sun for maybe two hours each morning during the summer while the plants are all outdoors on benches) be sufficient--or too much? 3) Is it okay to use a very shallow bulb pan for Paph. micranthum? I understand (from what I've read) that this species sends out new growths some distance away on an elongating rhizome, and I'm assuming that "standard" potbound orchid growing techniques won't work all that well. Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.