How do I care for Paph druryi?

[Arne]

I have not had any problem to culture any Paphiopedilum until now. In 2015 I bought a young plant of Paphiopedilum druryi. I was told it was slow-growing and that it would not bloom on its first growth. Now, about 15 months later I can say that it is the most slow-growing plant I've ever come across. Also, it does not seem to like what I'm doing as the older leaves slowly (everything with this plant is slow) get yellow and seem to die. There are four issues as I see it, namely the need of calcium, appropriate light, water and temperature. I have given it a lot of light but the leaves are not getting yellow because of that. The temperature is the same as I have given my Paph philippinense. The light situation is the same as for my philippinense. I give it the same amount of water as I give my philippinense as well. As for calcium I only put egg shells in the medium. Now, can someone guide me how to take care of this plant? It is from the Kerala province of India.

[ksriramkumar]

Yes it is a very slow growing species and requires atleast 3-4 fans before it can bloom. It grows in a specific locality in Kerala (my neighboring state) and is listed as endangered. It grows along side grasses on a mountainous terrain and gets bright light during normal growing stage and gets higher light during winter.

In its natural habitat, It is rainy season from end of May till end of October during which it is hot and humid and winters are cool (~10 Degrees Celsius)

Do share a picture of the plant.

[JDT]

I have no clue how to care for this but I would say you found someone in Sriram who can help you on this one.

[Arne]

Thanks Sriram. I actually had you in mind when I wrote and asked but I didn't know how similar the climate in the two regions could be.

What do you think of the need for calcium? Should I add some dolomite? My delenatii grows well without any calcium but some people claim that its need for calcium has been exaggerated.

[sciencegal]

Egg shells do not break down enough to provide calcium. Even if you powder the shells little calcium is released unless the soil is very acidic. They don't even break down much in composting. They pieces just get smaller and smaller. You have to pulverize them to a powder then add acid like vinegar. It would be easier to get a fertilizer that has the level of calcium so you know how much you are giving and that the orchid can use.

[ksriramkumar]

From what I know Paph druryi grows in a kind of humus rich soil and not that rich on calcium. Adding little amount of dolomite in the potting mix should not be a problem. I have mine in orchiata (70%), 20 % (LECA), 10% Sphagnum moss and seem to be doing ok but not bloomed yet.

Thanks Sriram. I actually had you in mind when I wrote and asked but I didn't know how similar the climate in the two regions could be.

What do you think of the need for calcium? Should I add some dolomite? My delenatii grows well without any calcium but some people claim that its need for calcium has been exaggerated.

[JDT]

Potassium nitrite is also a good source of calcium, just make sure you get the one for plants. I use Potassium nitrite with Epson Salts every other time I fertilize.

[sciencegal]

Potassium nitrite is also a good source of calcium, just make sure you get the one for plants. I use Potassium nitrite with Epson Salts every other time I fertilize.

Umm. I don't think there is any calcium in potassium nitrite. Epsom salts is magnesium.

[Arne]

Actually, potassium nitrite is KNO2. I guess it is a source of nitrogen although nitrogen normally is provided as nitrate (not nitrite). But maybe nitrite is OK as well.

[JDT]

Umm. I don't think there is any calcium in potassium nitrite. Epsom salts is magnesium.

Sorry, my bad. As I was typing I remembered that I need more Potassium Nitrite and it was on my mind, tough to get old, some times you can not be thinking of more then one thing at a time. You are correct Epson Salts is magnesium.