First time repotting Paphs

[MSPProductions]

I have two Phaphs that are finnished blooming. They both are quite different one is what I'm guessing is one of the more generic paphs out there, the other is one of those 'bulldog,' 'frog' or 'churchil' types. Anyway, both seems to have quite a mix in their pots right now. This is my first type repotting a paph. I'd love to hear some tips that go beyond the culture sheet...I did read about oak leaves but that might be a little tough were I am.

[mayres]

I live right next to a quality commercial paph grower that does wonderful with bark (approx. 1/4" size) and perlite. I have mine in similar media after viewing her thousands of plants and noting the quality. You will find others on this forum like sphag and other media as well. As in most orchid genera - depending upon your culture and growing environment - media best for you might be different than for others - that is half the "fun" - figuring out what works for YOU. Enjoy! mike

[kmarch]

The medium i use is:
medium bark
medium perilite
medium charcoal
medium coir chips
chopped sphagnum
ground peat (or coir peat)
and if I have it available:
shreaded oak leaves
coarse clean sand

This mix retains a fair bit of moisture and in our summer (hot and VERY dry) I am able to give them the gentle, even mositure (never dry nor waterlogged) they need by watering every 5-7 days. In winter when it is much cooler and more humid I water every 7-10 days or so.

Some people I know here (Melbourne Australia) use only a bark perelite mix as Mayers mentioned but in the hot dry summer they're watering almost every day.

When configuring your mix for your Paphs keep in mind:
1) that they like gentle even moisture, never dry nor soggy
2) your watering habits - do you want to change them or would you rather configure the mix to accomodate your habits.

[sandra]

I just re-potted my paph last evening. I used bark mixed with charcoal, coir and perlite. My paph. did really well in this so I'm sticking with it.

Have a look:
4-11-07 Thru 6-20-07

[prisana]

Kevin, I'm thinking about repotting my paphs I just got , they came to me with leaves that are quite yellow ( bad ? ), but 3 of them have new growths and one has a new growth starting..should I repot them now ? One of them had some fuzzy mold in the bottom of the pot but the rest is fine.

Also, the new growth that snapped off a month ago has a new root now, about 1/2 cm long..when should I pot her ? here are pics. Thank you.

[Joan]

That's a lovely growing bench you have set up for your blooms Prisana.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by prisana

Kevin, I'm thinking about repotting my paphs I just got , they came to me with leaves that are quite yellow ( bad ? ), but 3 of them have new growths and one has a new growth starting..should I repot them now ? One of them had some fuzzy mold in the bottom of the pot but the rest is fine.

Also, the new growth that snapped off a month ago has a new root now, about 1/2 cm long..when should I pot her ? here are pics. Thank you.

prisana,

Great news about the new root soming on the piece that broke off. It likes what you're giving it. Keep doing what you're doing nd let the root get probably at least 3 inches long. I'd consider even waiting until it has 2 or 3 roots before putting it back in bark. Watch it and see howit does. If it does really well you may want to consider permenantly growing it this way.

The rule of thumb is the same with Paphs as with other orchids: repot after blooming. Paphs often start new growths and bloom at the same time, frequently in winter/spring. This means probably late spring see a lot fo Paph repotting. It may not be too late to do it now. Better now than later when the new roots will be unnecessarily disturbed. When were they last repotted?

[prisana]

Originally Posted by Joan

That's a lovely growing bench you have set up for your blooms Prisana.

Thank you Joan...

[prisana]

Originally Posted by kmarch

prisana,

If it does really well you may want to consider permenantly growing it this way.

Kevin, it's growing in sphag in a bag..will it survive the whole bag thing if it's permanant ?

Originally Posted by KMARCH

When were they last repotted?

I'm not sure, Kevin. They were from mail order..the potting mix look waterlogged from half way down into the medium , but the top look fine. The new growths are half-way mature on 2 of them, 1 is almost there and the other growth is still a little green nub. None of them look like they will be mature enough to flower anytime soon.

[sandra]

What kind of new growth are you referring to prisana? New leaf? Also, what kind of growth snapped off?

[prisana]

Originally Posted by sandra

What kind of new growth are you referring to prisana? New leaf? Also, what kind of growth snapped off?

Sandra, not just new leaf, but the whole new growth on my older paph snapped off while I was ( tending ) to it ( not pictured ) . It's growing a new root now so I'm going to wait to mess with it and hopefully it will grow more roots soon

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by prisana

Kevin, it's growing in sphag in a bag..will it survive the whole bag thing if it's permanant ?

If you fancy a bit of an experiment it might be ok to give it a go in sphag for a while to see how it does. I'm not suggesting you permenantly grow it in a bag though.

Cheers

[MSPProductions]

I wound up repotting one Paph with bark, perilite and a pinch of this and that recomended here. I was a little surpised that it was potted in just bark...it was a bit nasty and black but the roots of the plant were very strong and hairy. For my Bulldog type I'm going to try matching the medium it is in, a much more varried mix of bark, coconut husk, perilite and what I can make out is very small fertilizer balls (aqua green collored)

[prisana]

mspproductions--let me know how it goes, my paph came in similar mix but with large perlite, my bag of horticultural perlite is so fine it gets washed away during watering and I was wondering if there's a larger kind being sold at Home Depot or Low's and if that's what you're using.