Hey everyone,

Let me start by saying my orchid experience is almost entirely Phals. Plus I have one Dendrobium and one Oncidium. I've been wanting a Paph forever, and I'm going to the Pacific Orchid Expo tomorrow. Last year, they had plenty of Paphs available so I'm hoping they do again.

I was wondering if there were any easier to care for Paphs OR, particular ones I should avoid as a Paph beginner? I've always wanted a P. venustum, but not sure if that's a good starter.

This orchid will be growing in entirely different conditions from my others, as it's going to remain in the Bay Area, California when I'm not here. It can be grown indoor or outdoor. Hoping for something not too difficult as my fiance's going to take care of it when I'm back home. I don't want to burden him.

I think I posted a similar thread a year or so ago asking about starter Paphs, but if I did, it's long buried...

Any suggestions?

Lucky you! Paph Paradise will be there and their plants are exquisite. I would look for one I could afford that has a pretty face. I do well with the 'bulldog' paphs and they seem to be a little more affordable. Expect to spend at least $50 unless you buy a seedling (and what's the fun of that?).

https://paphparadise.com/produ...

Thank you! That's exactly who I was thinking of from last year. I just couldn't remember their name. I regretted not getting a plant from them. But I also didn't know I'd be spending so much time here this year.

I can give you the opinion of a very experienced grower, AND KILLER, of Paphiopedilums however they remain one of the easiest orchids to grow.
Species are generally a bit more difficult to grow then hybrids
They will in all likelihood struggle as outdoor plants. They really enjoy consistent care. Regular watering, consistent light etc.
Flowering should be regular once conditions are met. Some like it a bit cooler, some a bit warmer, but generally 58- 82 degrees during the course of a year. If the temperature gets cooler for stretches water less, too warm, water more frequently.
They enough regular fertilizer. Too much and too often might get you loads of leaves but fewer flowers. Too little is better then too much.
Now light should be bright in a nice breezy location, very little direct sunshine.

Hybrids to look for: Anything with "Macabre" in the name. Anything with "Lehua" on the label. Anything with "Fred" in the name or "Petula". They come from the Lehua Orchid Nursery in Hawaii and produce gorgeous, easy to grow and yet VERY PRETTY FLOWERS!!!!
That pretty much sums up my knowledge.
Things like Pahpiopedilum stonei, rothschildianum, philippinense in the name are a bit more difficult to grow.

I am fond of so called Bulldog Paphs, Paph Winston Churchill or its progeny. Mine is blooming right now, right on schedule. I find it to be a really tough plant.

Also, we saw a lot of really nice Paphs yesterday at the Orchid Show here
The thread "Deep Cut Orchid Society Show Febr. 2024" in Orchids forum
I added the names on many, or included them in the pics.
.....more for inspiration.....?

I visited Paph Paradise's stand while at the show and picked out two lovely Paphs.

Very nice plants. Gosh I need to get to a show!!!

I like those! Nice choices.

Me too!

My bulldogs seem to be doing very well under lights so far. All have at least one new growth, a couple have two.
I am watering every five days and fertilizing weakly twice per month. So far, so good.

Flowers typically lasted 4 or 5 weeks. And happily, no buggets!!! Humidity staying between 52-65%.

Thanks! I'm very happy with the two. Really excited to finally have Paphs.

I put them near a south facing window, a few feet away so it isn't direct light. Hoping that'll be okay. I bought a bag of orchid mix at the show as well, as the seller of the plants recommended repotting the one soon. I'm going to wait for the bloom first though. I don't want to repot and potentially lose the beautiful bloom.

Here's a great article from the Smithsonian:

https://gardens.si.edu/collect...

There is a sticky up on the top of the orchid page that deals with repotting. With some tips from Big Bill.

just love that path "Tiny treasure" - looks like it's reaching out to give its human a hug!!!

You mean this one?
https://paphparadise.com/produ...

Well there is a key in growing Paphiopedilums that I don't know if anyone has mentioned it yet. And that would be large root hairs! Very noticeable root hairs.
I do not recall seeing that feature any place else in orchids. They are not there in Oncidiums, Bulbophyllums, Vandas, Cattleyas, Miltonia, Phalaenopsis, Epidendrums, Angraecum, Sophronitis, no where else I can think of.
You will find them on Phragmipedium roots as well.
So what can be the logical reason for those fuzzy root hairs? I think that it could because of where they live and how they can best cope with environmental conditions. I mean I would imagine all of those fuzzy wuzzy root hairs increase the surface area of a root. That if true would maximize water absorption by the particular root.

Any thoughts anybody ?????

I mean most slippers live a very terrestrial life, yet I don't really know if we can really call them terrestrial in the real sense of the word. They do not live in soil but so many slippers live right on top of rock outcroppings. In the case of Brachypetalums from SE Asia the rock is limestone.
I really can't remember if I ever heard their purpose discussed? Perhaps for some they help a Paphiopedilum absorb and store water "in the lean times" as they wait for the Monsoon Season to start.

I don't remember where I copied this from, but I was wondering the same thing when I got my indoor lighting (same type you see in Big Bills' posts) and really got into paphs and phrags.

'Yes, Paphiopedilum have root hairs. The outer velamen layer of the underside of the root produces root hairs. These hairs act like a sponge, absorbing nutrients and water from the soil and sending them through the tip of the plant's root. The more root hairs a plant has, the more water and nutrients it can absorb from the soil.'

From another source.
'Root hairs function as an extension of plant epidermal cells in growing plant roots. They serve to increase the surface area of plant roots and help the plant extract more water from the soil as well as more efficiently extract nutrients from the soil. Root hairs also can interact with bacteria and fungi in the soil to help the plant extract nutrients. Root hairs can also stabilize the plants interaction with the soil, especially in young seedlings.'

But Ted, it is all wonderful information that you provided but I am still left to wonder why those orchids have root hairs in the first place while Cattleyas, for example, do not?
I am wondering since root hairs might just be extensions of the velamin, and they developed because of the slippers being semi-terrestrial. And therefore epiphytic orchids living in trees and shrubs didn't need root hairs. Instead they gather moisture by spreading out the roots and have them grow in the cracks and crevices of the bark?
Just giving me pause to wonder.

I guess, I am more simple-minded! I am looking at it /those root hairs as additional means of nutrient and water update in a different medium than non-terrestrials.