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Paphiopedilum
Julius is a slipper
orchid hybrid
that produces four
or more flowers per
spike on large
plants. |
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Paph
hookerae
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HUMIDITY
Paphs, like most
tropical orchids like humidity,
so try to maintain about 70%
humidity, Plants will generally
not do well with less than 50%
humidity. Stand plants on
water-filled trays of gravel
(making sure plants do not sit
in water), and spray plants
with water during warm dry
weather in order to increase
humidity.
TEMPERATURE
AND VENTILATION
Most
paphs are happy with
intermediate to warm
temperatures from 75-80 during
the day, and around 65-70 at
night. A drop in temperature at
night during the cooler months,
may help induce buds.
‘Standard’ or 'complex' paphs
enjoy temperatures about 5
degrees cooler. Make sure that
there is always adequate
ventilation and air
circulation, particularly in
the winter, or during very
humid conditions, in order to
avoid fungal and bacterial
disease. However, do not
subject plants to blasts of
cold or hot air. An oscillating
fan that moves air constantly
at low speed is extremely
beneficial.
FLOWERING
Buds will
emerge from the growing tip of
the plant
on
wiry stems. Do not
disturb plants too much
while buds are forming
otherwise the stems will
be crooked and the plant
will not look as
attractive in
bloom. Do not
subject them to sudden
temperature changes as
this may cause buds to
drop. Also make
especially sure plants do
not dry out, as this may
cause bud blast. If
flowers droop when fully
open, insert a stake in
the pot and tie the bud
to hold it up. Cut
flowers last well in
water, but usually
longer
on the plant. Snip
off the stem at the base
once all flowers have
faded.
The exception to this are the
sequential bloomers. These
include all species in the
section Cochopetalum, including
Paph. glauycophyllum,
moquettianum, liemianum,
chamberlianianum and primulinum
as well as hybrids made between
these. All are similar in shape
to Paph chamberlainianum shown
below especially with respect
to the short twisted petals.
Paph primulinum is yellow, but
the others are in shades of
moss green and pink and soft
green. Paphs in this section
will produce one flower after
the next on the SAME flowering
stem. Do not cut the stem off
unless it withers and dies on
its own. The flowering stems
form a zig-zag shape with a
sheath to indicate where the
previous flower was before it
dropped off, and a new one
emerged. Well-grown plants can
have two or more stems blooming
at any one
time.
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