My first lady slipper

[wildorchid]

... i think thats what its called. Saw these guys here and I had to have one... So I hunted them down in different greenhouses and found a nice one (well i hope its a nice one - it hasnt bloomed yet. It looks to me that the flower will be white and green

Anyway, my question is that, the orchid stalk is right in the middle of the leaves... and that each bloom or bud that develops will have a new set of of leaves with it(am i making sense)? My question is, what to do with these leaves after the bloom? do you just leave them there?

What would happen after say 4 blooming season. I would have a ton of leaves... Let me know if I need to elaborate more. For now, its the best description I could give you guys.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

No worries. The leaves will eventually die off as the new growth takes over. It is a process and takes time. Do not cut the leaves away. Congratulations on your new paph. Be sure to post a photo of it when it does bloom. We all want to congratulate you! - it is a right of passage for some and most definitely the beginning of an addiction you will grow to cherish.

Cheers,
BD

[wildorchid]

Thanks BD. Its so exciting to have a new orchid. I will post pics when it has bloomed.

[Piper]

Congratulations on your purchase, and welcome to our forum! The slipper orchids you generally see for sale are from the genus, Paphiopedilum. We all call them Paphs for short.

Bruce is right - they are addicting! Post a photo before and after yours blooms. It's always fun to share their progress!

Julie

[IdahoOrchid]

One of my paphs is Paph sukhakulii (3-2-5). The numbers mean it has 10 growths: 3 previously bloomed, 2 mature and 5 new growths. So, plants can get fairly substantial in size as well. A plant that is well grown and has many growths is typcially referred to as a specimin plant to recognize its longevity.

[smartie2000]

Definitely leave the leaves, they will support the new growths. Soon you will have more than one!

[wildorchid]

Thanks for all the information, I do not know what type of Paph this is, but I will post a pic when it blooms. I have three phals, one baby, and 2 mature ones, I havent had any new spikes on those, but will post them up when it blooms for identification as well. I cant wait!