I set lots of my orchids outside for the summer but I never set any right on the ground, well most of the time any way.

I run out of spots for all of my Paph's so took a basket and set it up on a turned over a pot bottom and set the basket on it just off the ground about 2" till I could get something to set this Paphiopedilum on. It only set there for 2 nights…..but that was to long…!

I when out to look at the orchids this morning and the Paph setting on the ground...something ate all but one small leaf off, the hold plant is gone but that small leaf.

What ever ate it liked it for the Paph had 3 growths and it ate then right down to the top of the mix. Live and learn. :cry:


I do not know what it could be that ate it. From time to time something will get my fern that is in the patio, it just grow back after being ate off in early spring, but last night what ever it is that is eating things in my patio liked the Paph much better. I sure hope it can’t climb…as my Patio walls are full of Orchids!

So do you think that the Paphiopedilum will grow back in time and is there any thing I should do to help it grow. Other them not ever setting anything on the ground again!

The Paphiopedilum that got ate is Paphiopedilum Maudies Maroon Star x Paphiopedilum Maudiae Los Osos.

leave it potted to see if it comes back it might? as for the animal who ate it must have a pretty bad belly ache sorry to hear about your plant

Nothing much you can do but just leave it potted and see what happens.

If the crown is intact it could produce new leaves over time.

I was considering giving some of my Paphs the 'outdoor teatment', but cancelled those plans when a friend of mine told me he had lost a NBS Paph rothschildianum. He was growing it in the shade under his deck in the suburbs of Mpls. and came out one day to find the plant chewed right down to the roots. His best guess was that a deer did it, because of the large numbers in his area. It also could have been a rabbit or a woodchuck. I have the same problem with deer and rabbit 'infestation' in this area as well as 'Charles' our resident woodchuck; so I decided not to risk any Paphs.

I still put out the Catts, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, and Oncidiums and have no problem with them. Even the bears leave them alone.

My patio is fenced so I know it was not a deer, and I don't think a rabbit can get in, but would a chipmunk eat orchids.
Are the leaves of any orchid’s poison, like the Paph if what ever ate this plant might croak! :-dance:
All the rest of the orchids are hanging on the patio walls, but now I am worried about the rest of my Paphiopedilums.
Yet they love being summered outside.

From your description of the plant size, it sounds like too much damage for a chipmunk to cause.

I hope it comes back(your plant not the suspect). You might want to get your ground plants up(just to be safe.)

Yes I moved all the plants up out of harms way. what ever it is will have
to be tall.... :poke:

I've never had this happen to me but I was always afraid of something this this so I made a bench that was over 4 foot tall and I have never had any damage from an animal or slugs or bugs