Paphiopedilum Wössner Zwerg

[mrhappyrotter]

Paphiopedilum Wössner Zwerg (Paphiopedilum barbigerum × Paphiopedilum helenae)

This is a cute little plant that seems to be as easy to grow and bloom as its parent Paph. helenae. This one came from Ross Hella a number of years ago. It's given me no trouble at all. And that's probably the top reason I appreciate this thing. It also helps that it's a miniature, so it doesn't take up tons of space on the shelves.

I've taken to growing a lot of these unifloral Paphs in Cymbidium pots that I set down into protein/supplement containers (which I get for free) and then I leave a small amount of water in the bottom at all times. The Paphs grown this way seem to be the happiest in my collection.

This is obviously not the most eye-catching flower in my collection, but I appreciate it for what it is. Also, I realized I end up posting more of my non-slipper orchids here than anything, so I figured I'd post something slippery for once while I was thinking about it.

 

[Linus_Cello]

How do you make holes in the protein/supplement containers?

 

[Tom-DE]

That is a sweet one! Nicely grown plant too.

 

[mrhappyrotter]

How do you make holes in the protein/supplement containers?

The supplement containers are mostly to provide the stability necessary for the Cymbidium pots to grow on wire shelves. Without them, the pots would tip over if a mouse sneezed in Uruguay.

That being said, these containers trap humid air around the pots, which the Paph roots seem to really love. I actually don't even bother adding holes to these containers, it hasn't been necessary. The Paphs I grow this way are far happier than the ones I grow in more traditional approaches.

If I were going to add holes, I'd just use a small gas torch to heat up a nail or something along those lines. That's my approach when I'm reusing old plastic containers for pots and I need to add some drainage or when I'm making semi-hydro pots.

 

[Djthomp28]

That's a cutie!