Paphinia cristata

Also known as: The Combed Paphinia or Paphinia cristata f. modiglianiana Paphinia randii Paphinia cristata var. modiglianiana Paphinia cristata h.v. randii Paphinia cristata h.v. modigliasiana Lycaste cristata var. randii Lycaste cristata var. modiglianiana Paphinia clausula Lycaste randii in the subfamily: Epidendroideae

Native to: Departamento del Huila - Colombia Guyana Panama Sao Paulo - Brazil

General Information

The Combed Paphinia is a medium sized sympodial warm to hot growing epiphytic orchid belonging to the sub family Epidendroideae native to Colombia, Guyana, Panama, and Brazil.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Grows to 18cm. Each new growth has numerous elliptic lance shaped leaves that grow to 15-25cm long. Pseudobulbs grow to 2.5-5cm

Flowers

Numerous blossoms appear during Summer, Autumn and Winter

Blooming Season

• Autumn
• Summer
• Winter

Substrate(s)

• Coarse
• Spaghnum Moss
• Perlite

Care Notes

These orchids like to be watered regulary, especially during warm weather, and prefer a well draining mix or also do well mounted, provided they can be watered daily or even many times a day.

These are quite a forgiving orchid, there are no special requirements to get this orchid to flower, just good care and consistent conditions. Larger plants may be more fussy and can react poorly to change; a poorly timed repotting, a pest infection or an unusually hot day can set them back for a couple of years. However, even plants that have been treated poorly can thrive, and if they are set back they often recover much stronger then they would otherwise be.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 81mm to 244mm per day, heaviest in May and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 77% to 89%, highest in June and lowest in March. Temperature ranges from 16C to 29C, highest in February (18C to 29C) and lowest in September (16C to 28C).

Watering

These orchids prefer a wet-dry cycle between waterings, they should be watered frequently but only when the moisture is approaching dryness, where the pot feels light and/or the media looks dry. Keep an eye on mounted orchids in warm weather as they may dehydrate quickly.

Fertiliser

Apply liquid based fertiliser per recommended directions. They can benefit from a high phosphate fertiliser leading up to flowering season, followed by a high nitrogen fertiliser when new growth appears, and a balanced fertiliser in other times. These orchids can also tolerate slow release fertiliser applied 1-2 pellets per cup (250ml) of media.

Apply fertiliser regularly at half strength year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer. Reduce fertiliser when plant is dormant during Spring.

Potting

Due to the growth nature of these plants they are best mounted onto cork, tree fern slabs, or even trees if the climate suits. Water regularly especially in hot weather.

This plant does very well in baskets or suspended pots This plant does well mounted to Cork slabs. Repotting is best done annually.