Comments on: DIAGNOSIS: ORCHID FEVER

By: Tom | Tall Clover Farm

Tom | Tall Clover Farm — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:07:46 +0000

Ruh-row…I fear the fever has found its way onto my keyboard, and I am now stricken by the beauty of these orchids and the need to grow and celebrate such wonders. Thank you, Matt, uh, I think. 😉

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 01:18:55 +0000

MOS show is this weekend! Wish I could go (I'm in DC, I told my parents who live in Sudbury to go visit and buy me some paphs).
Speaking of paphs, if folks are in to "ladyslipper orchids" (Paphs, Phrags, Cyps), come to the "Paph Forum" in DC in late February. Lots of great speakers and plants for sale: ncos.us/ncos/paph.htm
(And instead of buying an expensive water filter for R/O water, collect the water from the de-humidifier and air conditioning unit).

By: Matt Mattus

Matt Mattus — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 02:55:18 +0000

Uh-oh! I just returned from our local Wegman's supermarket with two Phalaenopsis that 'jumped' into my carriage. I Know that they are considered the Gateway Drug for orchid addiction, but really, I am just experimenting to see what they are like…

By: Bryan

Bryan — Sun, 10 Nov 2013 11:11:26 +0000

Glad you are starting to cave and get into orchids! they are not really that adictive….. I only have 1600, I could quit anytime…..

By: Matt Mattus

Matt Mattus — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 15:49:52 +0000

Thanks everyone! I was told that our water here in Worcester was about as close to rainwater as possible, and that we did not need a water filtration system for orchids, so maybe I am all set, and ready to rock and roll. Now, off to order more paph's before it becomes too cold to ship! I wish I had saved all of my P. sanderianum seedlings that I was growing ten years ago – maybe they would have bloomed by now!~

By: Unknown

Unknown — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 10:24:46 +0000

Well at least when you get into it, you do it with flair. Helenae? Even seasoned orchid growers don't have that little treasure. I agree with Marc – I have tried rainwater and returned to plain old tap water (with proper fertilizer) because I had fewer problems with diseases. Also…, aside from the paphs, I've found that CalMg fertilizers for some portion of the feeding regimen deliver great results on Orchids. Oh, and the Monnierara was just raised to an FCC/AOS – the top award. Can't wait to see where you go next with all this. I've been at it over 30 years and still not bored.

John Ignacio

By: Unknown

Unknown — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 01:22:32 +0000

My water filter system "only" cost 400…

By: Matt Mattus

Matt Mattus — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 20:21:46 +0000

Thanks Marc, I knew that you would know the name of the black orchid! As for P. helenae ( I was simply writing what was on the label, but now realized that it is indeed, a misspelling, I am so thrilled to discover these smaller Paphs. I also bought a P barbigerum, so that makes sense – the appeal of these smaller Paphs is already rising. Oh, good 'ol Harold. Back into paphs once again. Talk about obsessions ( Clivia, Narcissus and now, again, Paphs!). I amy have to visit him again! You are pushing me to the dark side!

By: Marc Hachadourian

Marc Hachadourian — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 04:08:47 +0000

Oh, and the name of that black orchid is Monnierara Millenium Magic ‘Witch Craft’ AM/AOS

By: Marc Hachadourian

Marc Hachadourian — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 04:06:29 +0000

Thought you might like to know that the Paphiopedilum helena that you mention is actually Paphiopedilum helenae a relatively recently discovered miniature species native to China and Vietnam. It is closely allied to Paphiopedilum barbigerum a species that has been in cultivation for many years. Because of international laws surrounding the trade in endangered species of which many slipper orchids are considered, this plant was a rarity in cultivation in the US until recently. It has been used in breeding to impart small size and what well known slipper orchid expert and hybridizer Dr. Harold Koopowitz has been referring to as 'Teacup Paphs'.
Despite your mention of many orchid growers having water filtration systems ( which I believe is the rare exception rather than the norm) there is a huge and amazing diversity of plants available for the home orchid grower that willingly succumbs to their 'Orchid Madness'. A word of warning about Pleurothallids – their diversity and beauty is almost endless……give in Matt…you know you want to….:)