I have a report to make regarding growing slippers under lights. I think that my "cultural tweaks" are producing very good results. As many of you know, I purchased a box full of slippers this summer. I have been posting about those plants on a different forum. Well, they are just doing fantastic!
My slipper culture now features increased moisture with water sitting in the plastic trays, sphagnum in the bottom of the pots and reduced light hours. They have been getting 12 hours a day for a few months now. The intensity of leaf tessellations has increased a lot with sharp definition of pattern. Leaf growth has been very good and many plants are throwing multiple leads. A good number need repotting, not due to media degradation but due to out growing the pot.
My temperature range has been from 62-76 degrees pretty much all of the time. Humidity is between 58 and 72%.
I fertilize weakly every three months.
Some of my Paphiopedilums are blooming within 6 or 8 months of their last blooming. That is very rewarding to see. Some plants are even spiking as small plant! I'll give you one good example. I purchased a Paphiopedilum sukhakulii. It came in a 2 1/2" square pot. It had five leaves and had barely a 4" leafspread. And it wasn't cheap!! I was disappointed that it wasn't a larger plant initially BUT IT IS IN BUD NOW!!! When the flower opens it could be almost twice the size of the pot.
So bottom line is, I am saying that if you have wanted to try some slippers, I am giving you the blue print. It may be time to try!!
