Hello there
I’ve recently become very interested in Paphs. I bought a white one at Trader Joes a few months ago, became fascinated, and immediately added 4 more to the household. Unfortunately, I’ve not got much of a green thumb, so this is well outside my skill level.
My concern is that none of them seem to be growing at all. The two that bloomed (possibly a niveum??? from TJs and a maudiae from an online seller) did nicely. I expected there to be another fan or growth or something by now, but nothing. The blooms dropped back in May, and it’s now July.
The other three (a vietnamense x delenatii at an orchid store. The 2 others are mysterious little guys I picked up at an orphan table at a local orchid show / demonstration) have done basically nothing. No dying, no growing. The leaves look fine. I don’t see any yellow or black spots or bugs. No brown at the tips. Just no change at all in 3 months.
I suspect that they don’t get enough light. My house is situated so the plants face north and north-east windows. I have deep eaves, so they don’t get much direct light. I’d like to add some kind of grow lights to the situation, but I really don’t know what to do next. The plants live in the common living / entertaining areas of the house so styling is an issue. Ideally, I’d like to find a couple task or table lights that work with the décor and use a serious growing bulb – is that even allowed? I don't know where to get started in picking a bulb.
I’d really appreciate some guidance. I am super fond of these little guys and want them to do well.
Here’s what I have so far…..
Media: bark, I think. Except for the maybe-niveum which is packing peanuts and moss.
Watering: Hard, municipal water
Monday – run water through
Thursday – run water through
Saturday – run water through, soak for 10 minutes, feed
Feeding: ¼ tsp per gallon every week. – the instructions say 1 tsp / gallon every week – 10 days. I run about ¼ gallon of the feeding solution through the media of each plant.
GrowMore Premium Orchid food 20-10-20
N – 20%
Phosphate – 10%
Potash – 20%
Copper - .05%
Iron - .10%
Manganese - .05%
Molybdenum - .0005%
Zinc - .05%
Air: About 30%. No humidity trays
I’ve recently become very interested in Paphs. I bought a white one at Trader Joes a few months ago, became fascinated, and immediately added 4 more to the household. Unfortunately, I’ve not got much of a green thumb, so this is well outside my skill level.
My concern is that none of them seem to be growing at all. The two that bloomed (possibly a niveum??? from TJs and a maudiae from an online seller) did nicely. I expected there to be another fan or growth or something by now, but nothing. The blooms dropped back in May, and it’s now July.
The other three (a vietnamense x delenatii at an orchid store. The 2 others are mysterious little guys I picked up at an orphan table at a local orchid show / demonstration) have done basically nothing. No dying, no growing. The leaves look fine. I don’t see any yellow or black spots or bugs. No brown at the tips. Just no change at all in 3 months.
I suspect that they don’t get enough light. My house is situated so the plants face north and north-east windows. I have deep eaves, so they don’t get much direct light. I’d like to add some kind of grow lights to the situation, but I really don’t know what to do next. The plants live in the common living / entertaining areas of the house so styling is an issue. Ideally, I’d like to find a couple task or table lights that work with the décor and use a serious growing bulb – is that even allowed? I don't know where to get started in picking a bulb.
I’d really appreciate some guidance. I am super fond of these little guys and want them to do well.
Here’s what I have so far…..
Media: bark, I think. Except for the maybe-niveum which is packing peanuts and moss.
Watering: Hard, municipal water
Monday – run water through
Thursday – run water through
Saturday – run water through, soak for 10 minutes, feed
Feeding: ¼ tsp per gallon every week. – the instructions say 1 tsp / gallon every week – 10 days. I run about ¼ gallon of the feeding solution through the media of each plant.
GrowMore Premium Orchid food 20-10-20
N – 20%
Phosphate – 10%
Potash – 20%
Copper - .05%
Iron - .10%
Manganese - .05%
Molybdenum - .0005%
Zinc - .05%
Air: About 30%. No humidity trays