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Originally Posted by Cynthia, Prescott, AZ  xscd, do you have a name on that Paph? It may have a recent ancester with special needs to initiate blooming. If not, at least try the month or so of lower temps. I recall a story about one Paph species that you had a hard time giving away for many years (don't remember which it was), until it was discovered that the plant needed a chill to trigger blooms. Thereafter the plant went at very high prices. |
Thank you very much for your response, Cynthia. Unfortunately, the paph is untagged and I have no idea what it is. Regarding the lower temperatures, up until this winter I have kept it in the greenhouse during the cold part of the year with my dormant carnivorous plants (Venus Flytraps, pitcher plants), with the thermostat set at 55 degrees. My dormant plants were on the floor where it was usually considerably cooler, and the paph was on a bench where the temperature didn't get below 55, and usually warmed up during the day into the 60s-70s Fahrenheit.
I have just repotted this very large clump with dozens of mature plants all from the original single paph into a semi-hydroponic pot with PrimeAgra expanded clay aggregate pellets (coarse 8-16 milimeter size) and brought the pot inside the house for the winter, to see if precisely the opposite of what you mentioned--a warmer winter temperature instead of the colder one it has received these last 4-5 years--might encourage it to bloom.
I'm also going to do some research into specific fertilizers. I tend to like and use Miracle Grow and Miracid, with additions such as fish emulsion, epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) and powdered kelp extract (for a wide range of micronutrients). I'm going to see if I can find a local source for a few pounds of calcium nitrate also, to add to my usual weak fertilizer mix.
Thanks again for your comments, ideas and suggestions.
best wishes,
Steve / xscd
New Mexico, US