Paph. purpuratum

Base Price: $50.00

Cross: (CH#2 x CH#1)

Intro:
Paph. purpuratum is native to Hong Kong (new territories) and Guangdong, China. This plant is now near extinction due to over- collection. The plants we offer are grown from seed. This compact species is easy to grow and its flowers are colorful.

Light:
Low light, from 750 - 1000 foot-candles is ideal. Too much light will cause a bleaching effect in the leaves. Artificial light culture is suitable as well.

Temperature:
In nature, this plant is exposed to warm humid conditions during the summer months with temps easily reaching mid 80's in daytime with nighttime temps rarely below 65º. During winter months the plant remains in humid conditions, but the night temps can run as low as 45º. Winter daytime temps can reach mid 60's to low 70's.

Humidity:
50% or higher. It is critical to the plant's survival that high humidity is present at all times.

Water:
During the summer months in nature, the monsoons bring copious amounts of rainfall to this plant. During winter the weather patterns shift and although there is less rainfall, humidity remains high due to fogs and mists. The plant's roots are always moist. Water this plant more frequently in the summer and slightly less in the winter being sure that the root system never totally dries out.

Fertilizer:
We highly recommend using Green Jungle Orchid Food, especially formulated to work with rain, distilled, reverse osmosis water or water low in alkalinity. Fertilize with Green Jungle every time you water if plants are planted in bark. Be sure to flush the mix with clear water only once per month to prevent fertilizer salt build up. For plants in moss or mounted on slabs feed every third or 4th watering as the moss holds a lot of nutrients.

Or use GrowMore 20-10-20 Ureafree for municipal or well water. Use at the rate of ½ teaspoon per gallon. If using GrowMore with rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water, add back in 5 - 10% municipal or well water to supply the necessary calcium and magnesium. Fertilize every other watering in the summer and every third watering in the winter.

Flowering:
This plant tends to bloom in the summer to early fall months as temperatures cool and the days become shorter. The flowers emerge on stems from 8" - 12" in height, and are colored in deep purple in the horizontal petals. The dorsal sepal is white with alternating green and burgundy stripes. The pouch is mahogany/purple. The flowers usually last about 3 months and are 2 1/2 - 3" in size.

Repotting:
This plant prefers a medium grade bark mix when mature. The mix should contain some moisture-retentive material such as poultry grade peat moss or coconut husk chips. Repot in the spring months when active growth begins.