Sanderianum
 

Hello everybody,

I recently bought paph. sanderianum for I dreamed about it since the first moment I saw it.:drool: It is a nice tiny seedling with a 5'' leaf span. I must confess though, that I don't have lots of experience with this variety -- not that I don't have experience with paphiopedilums, it's just this one that I don't know how to grow. I've heard people say sanderianums are very difficult to grow, but some say the opposite. I'm totally confused. If anyone has any experience with this specie, please advise on how to grow it. If you know any website, culture/care sheets that would also help a lot.

PS: after what time approx. should it bloom?

Thank you:)

I have a hybrid Paph Michael Koopowitz and I found that humidity is most important to help it grow.

I heard people say that in summer they like high temps and grow fast outside.

I am growing mine in just a bit higher than phal light and in the stream of my evaporative cooler. It has grown a bit over an inch in a month. Humidity varies from high thirties to mid sixties but mostly stays around 50.

Oh, mine is about 9 inch span and I was told 4-5 years to bloom. I would suggest 7 to 9 years for yours.

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

7 to 9 years!!! :dumb: Huuhhh... Hopefully my grandchildren will take of it :lol: And this prediction works only if it won't die, get some fungus or disease and will grow at a rate of 1 inch a month... :_( Maybe after 2-3 years I would rather collect money to buy a BS of this paph. By the way, how much does the BS sanderianum cost? :drool:

In the hundreds or thousands.... blooming sized ones aren't offered for sale often.

We discussed this at Slippertalk and I'll link you to the thread:)
Paph. sanderanium question - Slippertalk.com - Slipper Orchid Forum for Paphs, Phrags other slipper orchids

That is true. I have only seen one commercial grower that offers sand at all stages of growth (NBS and BS at $500 ea and up) and one private party that offerred a NBS one for a reasonable price. I hesitated too long and it went to someone else.

Smartie2000, thanks for the link, was very interesting.

I have two seedlings that have about a 10"+ leaf span. I grow them moist (CHC, perlite and sphag), warm and fairly close to a 400 watt MH light. They grow slowly but not as slow as others I've seen.

Sorry, I haven't had much luck with sanderianum. While its hybrids are frequently vigorous, sand itself is slow as you-know-what. They grow slowly, and then (for me) just die. I have been able to bloom out sand crosses, but sand itself.....nowhere. Take care, Eric