Paphiopedilum parishii Care: Bloom Season, Watering, Propagation, and Water Quality

Question:

Bought Paph. parishii week ago. Looks fine. How to care for flowering like other orchids? Bloom month? Fertilize? Propagate? Full detail please.

Answer:

Hello Francis,

Paph. parishii blooms mid–late winter. Loves moisture active growth: moist not wet spring–summer. Bright indirect sun, 55–85°F, humidity >50%, light air movement. Mid-fall–winter: reduce watering (media barely moist between). Propagation: division when several new growths.

Paphs need good water—if hard (high Na/Ca), use bottled. Brown leaf tips = hard water sign.

Paphs grow best with annual repotting—finicky about media breakdown.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, CA