So how different is the culture of Paph. from Pal.?

ogus · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 05:52 AM

O.k. my collection is now with

Den. anosnum / varieties of dens. / some cattleyas / some phalaenopsis / couple calanthes / varieties of vanda, ascocenda, ascocentrum / a grammatophyllum and
some other stuff.

I do not have any Paph. species or cymbidiums. So naturally I want one..
however the local orchid lady whom I get my orchids from, advices me not to get
paph., she says they are really too hard to take care of. She takes the most amazing
care with phalaenopsis and others yet I haven't seen a paph in her place. She told me
even she's having hard time with them and even tho she's a collector herself, she has
given up on them. She insists that the weather condition in this island is not good for
paph.. So I am rather scared to get one but to see a picture after a picture of those paphs,
I am getting more tempting to get one. /Sigh

She says, even cymbidiums (she's got a bunch ..) don't really flower much around here in a summer weather a year around and not recommending one to me..

Well, the way I see it is.. Cyms without flower looks rather plain.. but some of those varigated paph. leaves, I can live without flower..

My indoor environment, I can provide 4 x 40w florescent lights, about 45% humidity with 75F temperature a year around. Should I try or not? If I were to grow them outside, I won't try it concurring with the orchid lady's opinion but since she doesn't have the indoor space like I do.. I am tempting..

tom499 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 06:33 AM

cyms are usually put down as a cool grower, so I can see you may have trouble keeping the temps down.

Paphs are pretty easy growers though. The mottled leaved paphs like it warm with light shade, similiar to phals. The only difference is they like to be kept moist and shouldnt be left to dry out between waterings.

When you go looking to buy one, ask the growers what conditions they grow their paphs and look for a variety which fits best with your conditions. If you can grow phals I dont see why you cant grow paphs

ogus · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 07:02 AM

Thanks Tom.

That's what I thought, after reading articles about how to care for paph, I didn't see much difference between phals and paphs.. but she just scared the heck of me. I would love to get those paphs. Now I have to locate a nursery in Hawaii to get some..

kmarch · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-2007, 07:12 AM

Paphs should really do well in Hawaii if you get the warmer growing ones, specifically the mottled-leaved Paphs (which can do well with quite low light) and the large multi-floral hybrids (as many of the multi floral species come from tropical islands like Borneo and Java).

Lots of fresh air, humidity, and gentle, even moisture are key to good results with Paphs. Don't let them dry out.

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