Question
QUESTION: Hello there. I received a beautiful potted Paphiopedilum lady slipper orchid as a gift. It has two stems and two blossoms.

I have never cared for an orchid, and until this weekend, it has been very happy. I keep it on my desk at work and after a long weekend, the blossoms were droppy and soft. I watered the plant and one bloom perked right up and the other one looks even sadder. I have become attached to this beautiful plant and I'd like to give it the care it deserves. Any insight as to if this is normal and/or how I can make it healthy again (or if I need to) would be wonderful. Thanks very much!

ANSWER: Hello Anne,

There may or may not be anything wrong with the paphiopedilum.  Paph. flowers may last from several weeks to several months on the plant then wilt and fall off, that may be what is happening with yours.  

By the way, does the building at work stay somewhat warm over weekends or do they shut off the heating?  Paphs. can withstand temperatures down to 45F with little trouble but much lower than that and they will not be happy.  Once it has finished blooming, what do you plan on doing with it?  Keep it at work or take it home?  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I plan on keeping it for as long as possible. My work building climate is a consistent 70 degrees. I plan on taking this plant home in a few weeks as I just bought a new house and want to bring it with me to my new home.

Answer
Hi Anne,

While constant 70 degrees may be nice to work in and the paph will grow happily, it probably would never produce any blooms.  Paphs as with almost all orchids require changes in temperature to really grow and bloom well.  In your new home, put it where it will have bright shade (several hours of direct early morning sunlight is OK), temperatures between 55F to 80F, humidity above 40%, with a little light air movement.  From early spring through mid fall, keep it evenly moist (not wet but moist) and barely moist in winter.  

Hope this helped.  Congratulations on the new home!!!  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.