Intro:
Paphiopedilum spicerianum is native to the foothills of the Himalayas in India (Bhutan). The story of its discovery is very interesting and documented in Arthur Swinsons famous book “Frederick Sander, The Orchid King” . This orchid typically grows on limestone cliffs or banks, with grasses that provide diffused sunlight. People like this plant for various reasons: it is easy to grow and becomes a specimen rather quickly. It has an alien-like face to the flower which lasts for 2-3 months. This particular strain has large flowers and is bred from selected parents.
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Light:
This plant prefers low to medium light, from 750 to 1500 footcandles. East windows in homes are ideal or 18-24” away from four 4’ fluorescent tubes being mixed between cool and warm light bulbs. During the winter in the Northern Hemisphere, the light levels can be increased as the days are shorter. In the summer, more shade should be provided. This plant will also do well under high pressure sodium fixtures.
P.L. Lights systems are a great way to provide artificial light to your orchids. See our P.L. Lights page for more information on this great product we offer.
Temperature:
This plant grows well in cool to intermediate to cool temperatures. In nature, it is not unusual for this plant to be in the mid-40’s (degrees Fahrenheit) at night during the winter months. They will also grow and flower just fine in intermediate temps when nights are 58-63 degrees F. Daytime temps can run in the 70’s to mid 80’s without any problems.
Humidity:
50% or higher is ideal. The use of humidity trays or room humidifiers is beneficial.
We offer two products that can help increase humidity levels. The humidity tray offered in black or white, and the Mist Maker. Please click on the underlined text for more information on these products.
Water:
Because the plant grows on limestone, it will tolerate some minerals in the water. Well water or municipal water with a pH of 7.8 or lower is usually acceptable
you can use rainwater, distilled or reverse osmosis water as long as you add back in some calcium and magnesium (a fertilizer like Green Jungle) or 10 percent of your well or municipal water . Municipal water with a pH of 7.8 or lower can also be used. Water as the mix approaches dryness but do not allow the mix to become completely dry between watering.
Overwatering can cause several problems such as root rot and infectious bacteria/fungus in the potting medium. One product we offer that can help these problems if caught at an early stage is Phyton 27 bactericide and fungicide.
Fertilizer:
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.
We highly recommend
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.
Other fertilizers offered are as follows: GrowMore 6-30-30 (Cymbidium and bloom boosting formula) and GrowMore 20-6-16 (Tropical plant food with calcium and magnesium additives).
Flowering:
This plant flowers in the fall to winter months beginning in October and running into January. Flowers emerge on spikes that are 10-16” tall with 2”-3” flowers colored in green and white with mahogany overlay. The staminode has a reddish mahogany coloration. The flowers are long-lasting, from 2 to 3 months. Specimen plants with 5 or more growths can have several flowers at once. We have in our collection, plants with 40-50 growths that produce 10-20 flowers every year. When you see the buds emerging, you will see dark brownish mahogany sheaths in the center or crown of the leaves. When these are present, keep the plant evenly moist until it’s finished flowering, not allowing it to totally dry out in between watering. Reduce light levels and try to keep it a little cooler at night. The slower the flower stem grows, the stronger it will be and the larger the flowers will be also.
Repotting:
The best time to repot is in the spring when new growths are emerging. A medium grade bark mix is ideal. In the Northern Hemisphere, this would be from March through the first of June. Repot every two to three years or as the mix begins to break down. Rather than divide it at a young age, we recommend that you clean out some of the old bark mix and pot on to a larger pot. If cared for in the manner outlined above, this plant will last for many years – it will most likely outlive you!
We offer several different types of potting medium. Here are direct links to what we believe to be some of the best potting mediums available for orchids: Orchids Limited bark mix, New Zealand sphagnum moss, coco husk, coco peat, sponge rock,charcoal, tree fern fiber, osmunda fiber and cork slabs for epiphytic plants.
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