Paphiopedilum

[Mercedesladie]

Hi everyone,

I am new to orchids and this site. I have found alot of good advice here. I have a question. I was at Lowes yesterday and spotted an orchid on their sick table. I think it is a Paphiopedilum! The price on it was $29.95 and I got it for $3.00.
I decided to check the roots out when I got home. The base of the plant is black and the roots are very soft. I sprinkled ground cinnamon on the roots and repotted. I could use any advice on trying to rejuvenate this plant. I have included a photo. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Attachment 335

Thanks,
Mercedesladie

[mayres]

Wow! That is a big plant for a big box paph! Lighting is somewhat like phals - low light - an east window would be good. More sensitive to excess fertilizer than many orchids. I have been using 1/2 strength every 3-4 weeks. A grower in my area that does wonderfully with complex paphs says to water one day and then foliar feed with 1/2 strength low phosphate fertilizer the next. I have had fair success with regular ground fertilizing with all but one of my maude type paphs but may try this on these too? It will be exciting to see what kind of flower your plant sends up next fall - be sure and post a pic when it does! Very possibly more than one flower next time as it appears it may have more than one new lead? Good luck! mike

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Your Paph, a great looking plant, may not have any problem with its roots. Paph roots are very different from other orchid roots, kind of wiry and slightly furry. They will certainly feel different. There has been some talk of moving the Paphs out of the family of orchids because their reproductive parts don't fit the mold of a typical orchid. Course, the Paph growers would have one major tantrum over that, and I think I would join them. Another aspect of Paphs is that they take repotting really well, and even like frequent repotting. Your mix that I can see looks like mediium bark. I think this is too course for Paphs which prefer not to dry out completely. You might want to consider repotting the plant into fine bark, or a mixture of fine and medium, as you want the pot to dry out a little slower than many other orchids.

[Mercedesladie]

Hi again,

Thanks for the info. I will get it repotted in a finer mix this week. If I get it to survive, I will post a pic when it flowers.

Thanks again,
Mercedesladie

[Daniel S. Barrett]

i find that if you tend to over water, fine bark mix is best, is you under water, add some moss to the mix to hold more moisture. good luck, great looking plant for a few bucks!

[desertgal]

Mayres: "I have had fair success with regular ground fertilizing with all but one of my maude type paphs but may try this on these too?"

What is ground fertizling? I have 12 new paphs and want to be successful with them.

Katie

[mayres]

By "ground fertilizing" I mean fertilizing in the traditional sense - putting water with fertilizer in it on the media and letting it run through the pot. If ever anyone knows how to grow paphs it is Theresa at Hillsview Gardens in Mulino, Oregon - hundreds of huge GORGEOUS plants! Many of them with AOS awards. So, she must know something? She says these plants should be fertilized by misting the foliage - "foliar feeding". This is a quote right out of here culture sheet on growing complex paphiopedilums - "Plants should be well hydrated 24 hours before feeding with fertilizer. Paphiopedilums respond well to fertilizer, as do all living things requiring food. A low phosphate fertilizer is what we recommend. Always water your plants well the day before applying any fertilizer, as the plants should be well hydrated. Fertilize your plants once a week at half the recommended strength. This will be adequate. Paphiopedilums will require special treatment during non-peak growth periods, which are during the winter and summer. In those non-peak growth periods you must pay special attention not to apply fertilizer when the temperatures are at their extreme." I'm just at the onset of seeing how this process works myself so hopefully I will have some good reports in the future. Previously I have been fertilizing my paphs just like my other orchids - through the media 5-10 minutes after watering with straight water. Good luck with your new "brood"! :-) You can also try emailing Theresa directly if you have any questions for the real PRO - she is very helpful. Her web site is http://www.hillsviewgardens.com

[Daniel S. Barrett]

i have 104 paphs and a few phrags, I both foliar feed & pot feed, and always make sure the medium is very moist before adding any fertilizer to avoid root burn.

[jerrymeola]

Paph roots grow very slowly and are very small for the size of the plant. It is amazing hold a plant can survive and flower with almost no roots, but that is often normal.

[Mercedesladie]

Hi everyone,

My little Paph has perked up a bit and seems to be ok. I repotted and sprayed it with a very weak solution of food today. I have got my fingers crossed that it will survive. I love this site. The information is awesome!

Mercedesladie

[Mercedesladie]

Hi again,

My $3.00 paph I got from lowes sick table 2 weeks ago has a bloom. My question, should I let it bloom? I have repotted it twice and am concerned about the roots. It looks healthy but should I snip the bloom off and let it get used to the new surroundings. Any help would be greatly appreciated .

I have included 2 pic.

Attachment 395

Attachment 396


Thanks,
Mercedesladie

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I would let it bloom. Your "soft" roots were probaly just fine, they just look different than other orchids' roots. I'm sure that if there were anything wrong with the roots, the leaves would have shown it by now, and they look very healthy. Enjoy your flower.

[Mercedesladie]

I was hoping I could let it bloom. I am very excited to see what the bloom will look like . You have just made my day! I will take a pic after the bloom opens and post it here.

Thanks for all the great info,
Mercedesladie