Paphiopedilum

 Most naturally occur among humus layers as Terrestrials on the forest floor, while a few are true Epiphytes and some are Lithophytes.

Paphiopedilum species of which there are about 60 can be found growing naturally in the wild throughout India and other parts of Asia including Indonesia South China, Burma, The Phillipines Soloman Islands and New Guinea

  Light & temperature 

 Paphiopedilum  need good light 600-2,000 foot-candles-bright filtered light with no direct sun, but they cannot stand much of the heat which usually accompanies high light intensities. You may reduce temperatures in south or west-facing summer windows by drawing sheer curtains across them.  mottled leaf or warm growing Paphs prefer a day temp with a maximum of 75- 80 F 24-28 C and a night minimum of 50-60 F 10-16 C, If daytime temperatures exceed 90 F 32 C you'll have to move the plants to a cooler window such as an east-facing exposure. It's doubtful whether orchids would bloom in a north window.

Many people grow their orchids successfully under fluorescent tubes. Place them so the lights are about eight inches above the orchids' foliage, and keep the lights on from twelve to fourteen hours daily.

Paphiopedilum may fail to bloom if night temperatures are very close to daytime levels. A two-week period in spring or fall where temperatures at night are kept ten to fifteen degrees cooler than during the day should initiate flower development, assuming the plant receives adequate light levels.  

 Humidity and  Watering  

 Paphiopedilum  need extremely high humidity, they do benefit from added humidity in winter. Placing pots on top of gravel in moisture-filled trays might help. You just need to be careful that their pots are set above the water line so no moisture will be drawn in through bottom drain holes. Room humidifiers also help increase relative humidity without jeopardizing orchid roots.

 Neither of these orchids should be allowed to dry out completely between watering. How often you water will depend on how bright their growing conditions, how humid, and how warm it is, all factors that impact how fast the potting mix will dry. Always use room temperature or barely lukewarm water that will not shock the orchids' roots, and avoid softened water if at all possible.

Paphiopedilum Make a point of holding the container over a sink or washtub and watering thoroughly so moisture drips right through and is discarded. Lift the pot right after you've watered to get a feeling for its weight, then hold off watering again until it feels lighter. Don't rely on the calendar to tell you when to water.

Compost.

The genus  is an important feature of the orchid collection at Kew. For all the species and hybrids the mix contains: 5 parts medium grade bark, 2 parts perlag, 1 part charcoal and 1 part peat. This mixture is modified by the addition of crushed dolomite chippings for Paphiopedilums which grow on limestone in their natural habitats, and by the addition of chopped sphagnum moss for those which are known to enjoy moist conditions.

 Fertilizing and Problems

Paphiopedilum Use a special orchid fertilizer such as 12-6-6, mixed half-strength, once a month - more often during growth spurts in spring and summer. Every three months fertilize them with a complete fertilizer containing minor elements along with the major elements, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Almost any ratio of the major elements in this complete fertilizer is acceptable.

Paphiopedilum Besides failing to bloom when night temperatures are too high Paphiopedilum orchids will not bloom if light levels are too low or too high. Low light is often accompanied by the presence of dark green foliage. Too much light may result in leaves that are pale yellow-green and bleached looking.

Paphiopedilum may also fall prey to common houseplant insect pests such as mealy bugs, scale, and spider mites. If your plants have a problem that doesn't respond to washing or wiping with an alcohol dipped cotton swab, check your local garden center for houseplant pesticides that are labeled for use on orchids. Be sure the plants are not moisture-stressed when you treat them, and keep them out of direct sunlight for two or three days afterwards.

Repotting Paphiopedilum In Short Movieshort short moviemovie

Much of the information for this Brief was taken from Horticulture Fact Sheet #46, 1977: Orchids for the Home Environment, by Steven J. Murray and Deborah L. Brown