Pinocchio Orchid Paphiopedilum Pinocchio gx

Water

The Paphiopedilum Pinocchio, commonly known as the Pinocchio orchid, requires consistent moisture and should be watered every 5 to 7 days, depending on environmental conditions. Use room temperature water and water the plant thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes. This usually means approximately one eighth to one quarter of a gallon every week for a standard-sized pot. Do not allow the potting medium to completely dry out, but allow the top inch of the medium to become slightly dry to the touch before watering again.

Light

The Pinocchio orchid thrives in moderate light conditions without direct sunlight. The plant should be placed in an east-facing window or a shaded south- or west-facing window. Ensure it receives bright, diffused light to encourage healthy growth without the risk of leaf burn.

Temperature

The Pinocchio orchid prefers temperatures between 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. They can tolerate a maximum temperature of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum of 40 degrees Fahrenheit but will not survive extreme temperatures outside of this range. Maintaining a stable temperature within these parameters is ideal for the health of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning of the Pinocchio orchid is generally done to remove dead or yellowing leaves and spent flower spikes to promote healthy growth and improve air circulation. Use sterilized cutting tools and prune as needed, typically after the plant finishes blooming. The best time to prune is usually in the late spring or early summer.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The best soil mix for the Paphiopedilum, also commonly known as the 'Lady Slipper Orchid', should provide excellent drainage and aeration, resembling the plant's natural epiphytic growing conditions. A recommended mix could include equal parts of fine-grade fir bark or pine bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss. The ideal soil pH for Lady Slipper Orchids typically ranges from 5.5 to 6.5, slightly acidic.

Repotting

Lady Slipper Orchids, or Paphiopedilum Pinocchio gx, should be repotted once every one to two years. The best time to repot is right after flowering, or when new growth appears. Frequent repotting is unnecessary and can disturb the plant's growth unless the potting medium breaks down and impairs drainage.

Humidity & Misting

Lady Slipper Orchids thrive in moderate to high humidity levels, ideally between 40% to 70%. If grown in home environments, maintaining this humidity range can be crucial for the plant's health, and may require the use of a humidity tray or a room humidifier to achieve consistent conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright, indirect light; maintain high humidity and warm temperatures.

• Outdoor

  Shelter from direct sun, protect from cold, maintain high humidity, water well.

• Hardiness zone

  10-12 USDA

Life cycle

Paphiopedilum Pinocchio, commonly referred to as the "Pinocchio Orchid," begins its life cycle as a seed, which typically requires symbiosis with a mycorrhizal fungus to germinate—a process that can take several months to years. After germination, the plant develops into a protocorm, an intermediary stage between a seed and a true seedling, which goes on to form leaves and roots as it matures into a seedling. As the seedling grows, it gradually forms a rosette of mottled leaves, characteristic of the genus Paphiopedilum. Once the plant reaches maturity, which can take several years, it produces a singular flower stem bearing a sequential bloom, where flowers develop one after another at the tip as the spike grows. With proper care, this flowering stage can continue for many months, as the "Pinocchio Orchid" is known for its long-lasting flowers. After flowering, the plant enters a period of vegetative growth, where it may also produce offshoots or 'keikis' that can be separated to form new plants, thus perpetuating its life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The most popular method for propagating the Paphiopedilum Pinocchio, commonly known as the Pinocchio orchid, is through division. This is typically best done in the spring, as the plant emerges from its winter rest period and begins a new growth cycle. To propagate by division, carefully remove the orchid from its pot and gently separate the pseudobulbs, making sure that each division has at least two or three growths or shoots. These divisions can be repotted into fresh orchid medium, ensuring that they are not planted too deeply to prevent rot. It is important to maintain high humidity and moderate light for the newly potted divisions to encourage root development. After care is crucial, with careful watering to keep the media slightly moist but not saturated, which will promote healthy growth in the severed divisions.