Paphiopedilum argus

Also known as: Argus Paphiopedilum or Paphiopedilum sriwanae Paphiopedilum argus var. sriwanae Paphiopedilum argus f. nigricans Cypripedium moensii Cypripedium moensianum Paphiopedilum sriwaniae Paphiopedilum argus h.v. baguio Cypripedium argus subvar. nigricans Cypripedium argus var. moensii Cypripedium pitcherianum Paphiopedilum argus h.v. nigrescens in the subfamily: Cypripedioideae

General Information

Argus Paphiopedilum is a medium sized sympodial warm to hot growing terrestrial orchid belonging to the sub family Cypripedioideae. It is named after a reference to the greek myth of Argus, a hundred eyed monster, similar to the spotting on the petals.

Plant Description

Sympodial. Each new growth has numerous thick erect, arching, elliptic, lance shaped, oblong shaped leaves that grow to 2.5-25cm long

Flowers

Numerous long lasting blossoms appear during Spring

Blooming Season

• Spring

Substrate(s)

• Coarse

Care Notes

These orchids live on the forest floor, often in dead leaves or humus, yet still have the organs that would allow them to store water given unpredictable or intermittent weather conditions. They require some moisture to always be present in the soil, but not much. Water when the soil approaches dryness and don't let it dry out completely. Some growers place pots in saucers to retain water, but this may create an environment that is too wet, leading to rot.

In most areas these can be grown in the garden under trees or in sheltered locations, as long as they are reasonably protected from huge weather swings, excessive heat, and frost.

Climate

Grows at low to high elevations. Rainfall ranges from 23mm to 1161mm per day, heaviest in August and lightest in January. Humidity ranges from 83% to 93%, highest in July and lowest in January. Temperature ranges from 13C to 25C, highest in April (16C to 25C) and lowest in January (13C to 22C).

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

These orchids do not need to be regularly fertilised and roots may be sensitive to salt build-up, dying back and therefore impairing the plants growth or even killing it.

If fertilising, use half to quarter of the recommended amount of fertiliser. If they receive fertiliser as part of a collection, be sure to flush out the pots regularly with fresh water and monitor the roots by checking how much resistance is given by the plant when nudged in its pot or mount. If the plant becomes wobbly or loose, repot in fresh mix or rinse the media/mount thoroughly and do not fertilise for at least 3 months.

Be sure to flush out excess fertiliser by running water through the media regularly year round. Use a high Nitrogen fertiliser year round. Use a high Phosphorous fertiliser during Summer.

Potting

These plants can be sensitive to repotting though should not require repotting regularly. Repotting should be done when the mix has broken down to the point that it doesn't absorb water or holds onto water for far too long, usually the plant shows a decline in growth as well. Repotting is best done after the growing season when the plant has died back.

The mix should be free draining, with a blend of 30% inorganic ingredients such as coarse sand, gravel or perlite, mixed in with about 70% organic ingredients such as peat, leaf litter or decomposed bark. Avoid commercial potting mixes as they can vary wildly and may contain "wetting agents" that can hold onto water for loo long, causing rotting and stunted growth.

 

Use water retentive media such as moss to prevent roots from drying out quickly This plant does well mounted. Repotting is best done annually.