Plant of the Month - Paphiopedilum tigrinum 'Michael' AM/AOS

Paphiopedilum tigrinum 'Michael' AM/AOS, July 2024 Lights/windowsill-grown Plant of the Month

Photo courtesy of Joan Goodman

An interview with the grower, Steve Robinson.

By John Hockberger

Steve, what is the plant called?

Steve — It’s a Paphiopedilum tigrinum and it actually just got an AOS award yesterday, so it’s got a clonal name of Michael, which is named after my son.

When did you get this plant?

Steve — I got it about two years ago in June 2022 from Sam Tsui at Orchid Inn.

What are your growing conditions for this plant?

Steve — I repotted it right away, which is what I do with all of my orchids. It came in bark. I put it in tree fern in a 6 inch pot and I had it growing in my upstairs grow space which is under intermediate intensity LED lights, and it put on wonderful growth. I had a few friends, Julie Hall, Jim Ault and George Titterton tell me that it really needs to be grown cooler.

So now it’s in my basement, still under lights obviously, but the cool temperatures really let it bloom finally.

What about humidity and airflow?

Steve — The humidity is actually better in my basement than upstairs. Upstairs the humidity probably averaged about 40 to 45%. My basement tends to get more humid. It’s probably an average of about 50%.

Do you have fans going in the tent?

Steve — This plant is actually not in a tent. It’s just on shelves right in the middle of my basement.

What about the intensity of the light this plant gets?

Steve — Most of my plants get pretty intense light. I have 2 four foot Barrina LED lights above them. I know Paphs are supposed to get a little bit lower light. It probably could use a little bit lower light, but I haven’t found any detriment to higher light. I’ve got other plants on the same shelf that need higher light so it’s on the shelf where it fits.

You’ve mentioned that the leaves are a little lighter than they would be if it had exactly the light it wanted?

Steve — Correct, Paphiopedilums should have a little bit darker leaves, a little bit more on the green side than on the yellow. Mine are a little bit on the yellow side, although the judges didn’t seem to mind that.

If somebody says “that’s just absolutely stunning. Can I grow that?” Would you say it’s easy, medium, difficult?

Steve — As long as you can grow a little cooler and what I mean by cooler is my basement varies from about 59 1/2 to 69 1/2°F, so if you can do that temperature range…I don’t do anything special with it.

Does it need a temperature drop in the evening?

Steve — My plants do have a natural drop just because there’s no temperature control. It’s whatever temperature my house is at. In the daytime I have the air conditioner off so it gets a little warmer than when I’m sleeping. I actually have the air conditioner on at night so I can sleep better. In winter, again, it’s whatever the house is at, and I tend to have a cooler house. I put my thermostat at 67.

Is there anything in particular that you just love about this plant?

Steve — I really like the markings on the flowers, the striping, and dotting on the dorsal sepal. I just love the flower on this one.