Care of Orchid (Paph. Supersuk "Eureka" AM/AOS x Paph Raisin Pie "Hsinying") x Sib

[Hisjazzy]

A (Paph. Supersuk "Eureka" AM/AOS x Paph Raisin Pie "Hsinying") x Sib was given into my care on 3/16/6 with no care info and I know nothing about Orchids. It is in the plastic pot it was purchased in....I have no idea as to the soil content and this plastic pot was plced inside of a lovely ceramic pot with 'holes' up and down the sides all around the circumference. Advice would be welcome for watering feeding, lighting and any other mysterious orchid care that a newbie needs to know. Thanks all!

[jerrymeola]

Paphs are commonly called Lady Slippers. All Paphs grow in dark areas of the forests around the world in wet bog type conditions. Water levels are critical and wild fields can disappear with a shift in conditions.

General can for the one in your possession is to keep it indoors, they need low light levels. They can be grown outside with total shade such as a porch.

They should not be allowed to dry out for long periods although they can take some drying. Indoors you should water every 7-10 days depending on the dryness of your house. Outside if it is dry it can take more often.

[Hisjazzy]

Thanks, just pour some water on top of soil? Do they need any special types of food?...hate to kill off a gift from friend.

pour water through the medium, don't let it sit in water this kills roots, whatever you choose fertilize with very dilute 1/4 of what is recommended. and watch for a new fan growing, a sure sign it is doing well.i grow mine in a morning light window. others know more maybe they will post too

[jerrymeola]

The plant should be in a potting medium that lets the water run right through it. Normal watering is to pour a good amount of water over the top and let it drain out.

Use any balanced fertilizer 'weakly weekly'. Balanced is when the three numbers are about the same 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 Weakly is, as earlier recommended, about 1/4 the amount recommended for tropical plants and then use this dilution to water the plant about once a week. Be careful of using any labeled 'orchid food' It is the same food but the instructions are already reduced for orchids. Most plant foods dilute a tablespoon per gallon for tropical plants and a teaspoon per gallon for orchids.

Orchids can go a long time without fertilizer so do not be too worried about getting started.