Ok.

I also understand from some reading I’ve done that there are different kinds/types of Phals. Maybe someone can tell me where this one falls. I’d like to research it and learn more about its habits, etc. I also plan to get a few more and would like to know. Thanks again to anyone that can help.

The round filled in shape make it a Standard Complex Type of Paphiopedilum.

That is where it would go if you could teleport it to the next Orchid Society meeting here. (Class 6 Complex Paphiopedilum Hybrids)

There are also Primary and Maudiae types of Hybrids and Species Paphiopedilums.

Thank you so much arthurm2015. This is the information I was seeking. I am a novice, not to orchids, but to paph’s. This is my first one. I decided to give one a try and go from there. Besides this one I have a few Phals that do wonderfully for me in our sun room. I’m sure I’ll have many questions along the way!

Judging from your remarks, you may actually be more interested in cultural requirements than the actual name. Please see the article on the following link to the American Orchid Society. Pay particular attention to remarks in the temperature section concerning cool-growing green-leafed types (not the warmer growing multifloral types). AOS Paph Culture

It’s interesting that this post came up at this moment. I was going to open a post about nightly temperature treatment of my own paphs. I have a warmer-growing multi-floral type and a couple of “mottled leaf” types. So, answering your post taught me something as well – that there is a difference in culture between your type of plain green foliage type, which are cooler growing, and my type of plain green foliage multi-floral type, which is warmer growing. The thing is, if you’re trying to grow in a house, the ability to provide truly cool temperatures at night can be challenging. And although all orchids do well with a temperature differential between day and night, my feeling is that paphs in particular will be more rewarding with some daily cooling off. Except when temps are drastically low, I’m moving mine into a “cool room” at night, with the windows cracked. The temps in there this time of year can be into the 50s. My catts can just get over it. Not moving those. And not moving warm growers. Theres a little bit of temp difference at night in their regular growing space. But the paphs I’m going to pay particular attention to.

Yes you are right John B and thanks for chiming in. I think it may be a challenge to grow this orchids and get it to bloom. Wish I had known there was a difference when I purchased it as I might have went with a warmer growing paph since it is in a home environment. It’s in my sun room and not the main part of the house so there is significant drop in night temps but can get pretty warm in the day, and summer temps are very warm there. My phals love it there! I’ve kept it growing pretty good so far BUT perhaps I won’t get it to bloom or to look as good as it did when I got it last March.

Time will tell but I’ll give it my best shot! Thanks for your response.

You have a lot going for you. The AOS blurb on paph culture did state that many growers have success with growing diverse paphs in basically the same conditions. (I live on statements like that). The most important cultural aspect for any orchid is light. If you get that right, it’s half the battle, as I hope the others here would agree. The second thing you have going for you is the nightly temp drop. That’s great. It gives the plant a bit more of a daily rest than many of us can provide. Thirdly, your plant, being a complex hybrid will possess that wonderful quality known as “hybrid vigor.” Of course, whenever two plants are crossed the resulting plant inherits certain qualities from each parent. When crossed and recrossed I assume this resiliency is multiplied. So my bets are on you. Good luck!

Also, if you’re curious, I found the heritage for your plant. From the tag it seems that you plant is Paph. Joan Thomas. It’s simply two different “cultivars” of Paph Joan Thomas that have been crossed with each other. You will see in the link attached the complete parentage for your plant. Paph. Joan Thomas

Here is a pic of the 37% ancestor. Cool tolerant down to about 2C. Easily grown here, in fact grown by many people not just Orchid Society members.

orchid pictured grown on open back verandah, in a place sheltered from the worst of the hot summer sun.

Good gracious!! Sign me up.

Wowza! I can dream.......