Unknown Paph

[Aleksa]

I bought this paph, but it was not in bloom. Is there any way to find out specie just by looking the leaves? This one have interesting foliage...














Do you have another pic of the orchid in question ?
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[mayres]

Kevin, our resident paph expert, will undoubtedly have more to say on this subject - but my response would be that unless it is VERY unusual foliage the chances of telling you much about the plant without a flower is going to be nearly impossible.

[kmarch]

Hi aleska,

I'm always happy to hear someone has bought a Paph. First question for you, are you certain it is a species? From the looks of the leaves it is most likely a Maudiae-type hybrid, but it won't be possible to say more until it blooms.

Cheers.

[Aleksa]

I think this is a hybrid. it is impossible to find a specie here in Montenegro... I know that there is so many paph hybrids and some of them require special treatment. I will grow it like normal paph. In Montenegro, now is autumn, and I will keep it outside few weeks on the lower temps to initiate flowering...

Is there any difference in growing between mottled leaf paph and the 'normal' one with green leaf?

I LOVE paphs, but here they are very rare. I have 3 of them!

[jerrymeola]

Maudie are very popular Paph since they are about the easiest to grow.

Normal care will do well. Low light 900-1200 foot candles. Keep out of heat (they have been hating my 95+ degree days for the last 6 weeks) Avoid drying out the plant likes to be kept moist all the time.

Unfortunately there is not much you can do to initiate flowering. Cooling will probably not hurt the plant but they bloom whenever they feel like it.

[kmarch]

I have many Paphs that bloom seasonally, usually in late winter or spring. In regions with more pronounced seasons I think this is more common than in places where the climate is more even year round.

Some of the "Chinese Paphs," especially Paph micranthum and Paph armeniacum do seem to have their bloom cycle initiated by a cool period but but your Paph is not one of the Chinese Paphs. I'm reasonably sure it is a Maudiae-type hybrid which can not be induced to bloom with a cooling off. I have quite good success with Maudiae-type hybrids grown under intermediate temperatures. Jerry is right that they will not be hurt by slightly cooler than intermediate temps but under those conditions they will slow down and/or stop growing and must not remain wet.

[Aleksa]

Ok, then I'm taking it into house... There is no reason to keep it in cool place...