I injured my Paph

[varjak]

So I've had this phal for three years and read how lowering the temp for a couple weeks is would initiate a spike.

Well dumb me left it outside in the shade and forgot and the nighttime temp got down to 40 a couple nights before I remembered I'd put it out there. Now two of the leafs are drooping and turning brown. They were the oldest ones as this plant is old and has around 8.

Question. Should I go ahead and cut them off right away? Or let them slowly die. I've read that paphs keep all thier moisture in the leaves due to the lack of bulb storage (I've learned so much here and know it's called something else besides bulb but whatever).

Oh and it didn't initiate a spike because I'm sure it's mad as heck at me.

Thanks!

[kmarch]

Dear varjay,

i'm not so sure you've injured your Paphs. Here's why: 1) Paphs do naturally drop their oldest leaves occasionally. Wait until the leaves are dead and gone then gently pull or cut them off. 2) While you don't want them to have 2 weeks of 40F nights, one or 2 nights shouldn't do much harm. Of course this depends on what kind of Paphs they are. There are both cool gorwing paphs and intermediate-warm growing Paphs.

Here in Melbourne Australia our winter nights can get as low as 40F yet many folks here grow Paph villosum and Paph insigne (among others) outdoors.

What kind of Paphs got chilled?

-Kevin

[mayres]

Are you sure you didn't get phals and paphs mixed up? Cool nights is often associated with getting phals to spike but have never come across this suggestion for paphs................?

[varjak]

Sorry it was my phal!!!!

[mayres]

The oldest one or two typically turn yellow/brown and will fall off on their own each year. You are most likely fine! When was the last time it bloomed? Sometimes when you purchase phals that are blooming off their "normal" seasonal cycle it will be difficult to get them to bloom until they aclimate to their new growing environment. I think it will take a number of weeks of cooling in the evening to get them to respike, not just a few days.

[kmarch]

Dear varjak,

So it turns yout you have a Phals instead of Paphs, I still think your plants will be ok if it was only a couple of nights. i would not worry about the leaf loss. I have a big ole Phal that's never had more than 6 leaves.

Cheers,