Orchid of the Month

last month: Platanthera ciliaris

Paphiopedilum stonei

by Rick Lockwood, OSMT member

My Paphiopedilum stonei is a first time blooming plant. I bought the seedling from Orchid Babies at our Mid America show in Fall 2004.

The cross is Harlan X The Best, which I believe was produced by Paphinatics. Although this species has a reputation of being a slow grower, I found it to be a fast vigourous grower, going from a 6" seedling to a 28" multigrowth plant in less than 5 years. I grow it on the warm and bright side of my greenhouse where peak temperatures can get over 90F, and morning till noon sun can reach 5000 fc of light intensity. Good airflow and humidity is a must, and humidity is maintained at over 70% (usually 80%).

Although this is a large plant, it's still in the same 2" pot that I originally got the plant in. It has been repotted a few times with a mixture of coconut husk chips, sponge rock, charcoal, and a dash of oyster shell. Once every few months I top dress with a little more oyster shell, and for the last year or so I've been top dressing with a bit of bone meal.

The flowers of this species are good size (about 12 cm at the widest span), and if the petals were held straight out, they would rival Paph. rothschildianum for size. Late spring is the favourite blooming time for multifloral paph species, so it was very rewarding to see this plant in bloom after 5 years of growing.

Blooming season: Late spring

Light: Bright with light shade

Height: 1 to

Habitat: Good airflow and humidity 70% - 80%

Photos: Phragmipedium wallisii (now called Phrag warzcewikzianum)

Photos Rick Lockwood