Advice
RHS Help & Advice
Growing orchids - Odontoglossum and Paphiopedilum
Odontoglossum
The
tiger orchids need a shady position in summer, but require
a good level of light in winter to induce flowering.
Temperature: A minimum night temperature of 10-15° C (50-60oF) is required.
Flowering: Plants normally produce a single flower spike, although larger plants may produce several. Peak flowering time is autumn/winter and late spring. Flowers last for five to seven weeks.
Watering and feeding: Allow the compost to almost dry out between waterings (more so in winter). Feed from March to September. Apply a general purpose liquid feed at half strength with three waterings, then water only the fourth time. Stand plants on an upturned saucer in a tray of damp pebbles to provide humidity.
Re-potting: Pot on between February to April or September to October, using a specialist orchid compost. Do not over pot, choose a pot just large enough to contain the roots. Larger plants can be divided, but resent frequent root disturbance.
Paphiopedilum
The
slipper orchids prefer indirect light, ideally positioned
on an east or west-facing windowsill with good light in the
winter, but back from the window in the summer.
Temperature: The green-leaved slipper orchids are cool growers, requiring a minimum night temperature of 13°C (55oF). The mottled-leaved types tend to require a warmer temperature, not letting night temperatures fall below 18°C (65oF).
Flowering: Slipper orchids with green leaves generally flower from November to March, but flowers can appear at most times of year. Those with mottled leaves flower mostly in the summer months. Flowers can last up to three months, and may need support.
Watering and feeding: Stand plants on an upturned saucer in a tray of damp pebbles. Allow the compost to almost dry out between watering in winter. Keep moist in summer. Apply a general purpose liquid feed during the growing season, giving it at half strength with three waterings, then apply water only the fourth time.
Re-potting: Pot on between February and June using a proprietary orchid compost. Offshoots with a good root system can be separated from the parent plant and larger clumps can be divided after flowering.