Newbee Question

[Richard Butt]

I have a Paph. that has just finished blooming. Do I cut off the flower stalk?

[mayres]

Yep! Down as low as you can without damaging the plant is what I do. I do have one currently that somehow self-pollinated and has been maturing the seed pod for a month or two - I left it for self education purposes for the time being. Enjoy! mike

[jerrymeola]

Several things to remember with Paphs.

They are a low light level plant.
They do not like to dry out for long but do not like soggy roots either.
And most growers recommend to re-pot 1-2 times a year.

Re-blooming Paphs is about giving them the conditions they like and patience.

[Richard Butt]

Jerry,
I have been watching the watering as the outside cools, inside evaporation changes. I have a humidity tray and "feel" the soil every two days. The paph is doing well. It has developed a second plant coming from the first one and that has sent up a flower stalk. I am fertilizing according to directions from Orchids by the Ackers near Madison, WI. I hope I am not adding too much fertilizer. I will watch it and see.
Thanks for your help, it is most appreciated.
Richard

[mayres]

If you over fertilize you will initially see brown/black at the leaf tips. Be sure and flush plenty with plain water every month or two. In my experience my paphs bloom once per year from each year's new growth(s). If you are getting another flower spike already right after the previous one finished you must have more than one lead (fan) maturing in the same year. Enjoy! mike

[jerrymeola]

Paphs complain quickly when they do not like their conditions. It is not unusual in the wild for a field of thousands to totally disappear for a year or more before coming back, when conditions are more to their liking.

Yours seems like everything is going well for it. Keep conditions the same and enjoy it. You make me jealous, mine are a work in progress.