Paph problem

[edgy]

Hello everyone,
ok....so here's the deal....in 07 my father in law gave me a paph....in late 07 we moved from Brazil back to the states....I had to leave the paph behind. I was able to smug....er I mean 1 small clipping of the plant magically appeared at my new home. It was seriously like 1 growth with few roots. Since then the plant has had 3 new growths...It has grown more roots but it has yet to flower. The clipping was done just after the plant had flowered in 07. I have just repotted and have the plant in a west facing window...although it has only been there for about a month. Also, the roots are brown and have a fuzzy covering on them....there are a few spots where this is peeled back and you can see the green root inside....is this normal? Any help is greatly appreciated as this particular plant means a lot to me. Thanks, Eddy

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by edgy

Also, the roots are brown and have a fuzzy covering on them....there are a few spots where this is peeled back and you can see the green root inside....is this normal?

Paph roots do have a thick fuzzy outer layer on them. This is normal. Unfortunately the peeled back bit sounds like your root has been damaged. Give it good paph culture and it will grow new roots.

[dounoharm]

maybe it needs some calcium and silica.....crushed oystershell works

[edgy]

there is one place about 2-3 mm on one root that has this damaged spot.....when you say paph culture.....could you be a little more specific please? Thanks..I really appreciate the repsonses

[sunshine]

Originally Posted by edgy

there is one place about 2-3 mm on one root that has this damaged spot.....when you say paph culture.....could you be a little more specific please? Thanks..I really appreciate the repsonses

AOS | Paphiopedilum

These culture sheets have really helped me to find the correct way to grow and make my chid happy. If I have I ask. If I get several responses I experiment a little and will usually find something that will work.

[amersault]

as Kmarch said, the brown fuzzy covering is normal for all Paphs. this is one trait unique to the species, and not to be confused with rot.

peeled back, though, means some damage was sustained. if you have more undamaged roots in the network, then your plant should have no problems recovering.

otherwise, it looks fairly healthy good-looking bloom, too! looks like it could be Paph spicerianum variety?

[edgy]

Thanks for the responses...the bloom was actually the last bloom off of the parent before it was divided.......yeah...not worried about the roots....only one small spot on all the roots that appears to be damaged so it should be fine.....as I said it is in a west facing window....should it be moved to the east ? any thoughts?

[amersault]

lighting: you know, it depends on your area and your Paph type. Texas West sun might be too harsh - make sure it's protected, especially during the 2-4pm sundown hours. i find those are the hottest and strongest rays, especially come summer.

also, i think different Paph types will tolerate diff. light levels - experts, correct me if i'm wrong on that one. so lighting will also largely depend on your Paph type.

example: i keep my Paph delenatii on an East-facing window, it will tolerate direct sun in the early morning till 10am, after that, it turns into bright-indirect. i've gotten good results from that set-up.

[edgy]

The west facing window I think may be ideal.....in the winter months the trees outside the window are barren and let more light come through....the leaves are starting to come back onto the trees now....by the time the really hot summer months are here they are full. The window still gets good light but not a constant direct light......I want to try to avoid moving it from place to place if at all possible. Will moving it make that big of a difference? My east facing window gets direct light until about 12 and then continues getting pretty bright light well into the afternoon. Don't know what type of paph it is....i think you're right, amersault, probably spicerianum hybrid of some sort...with all that in mind...any other thoughts?

[amersault]

with a tree canopy on your West-facing window, i think you'll be ok. no harsh rays will (hopefully) reach it during the sundown hours. and bright indirect is good - my west facing plants (all non-Paphs) do very well there. i know Paphs like lower light levels, so that set-up might work for you.

i agree - try to avoid moving it too much. once it finds a spot it likes - keep it there!

i'll have to defer now to the Paph spicey growers for more detailed care. we have quite a few growers here, so you should get good advice. hopefully they can shed more light on its care.

meanwhile, here's some growing advice from Gore Orchid Conservatory on their Paph spicey.

guys - correct me if his is something other than Paph spicey!

[edgy]

Thanks amersault.....you've helped a ton.

[kmarch]

Yeah it looks like one of the early primary or complex hybrids. I agree it has spicerianum in it. I'd treat it like a complex or Exhibition paph giving it cool to intermediate temps and medium light levels.

[edgy]

Thanks for that advice Kmarch......could you tell me what you mean by those two terms...early primary and complex hybrids?

[amersault]

you're welcome and good luck w/ that!

there was a discussion on the forum not too long ago on the definition of a complex Paph. for example, Bulldog paphs would be called complex and they're usually distinctly different looking than other Paphs (bigger and rounder).

hope that helps - i'm learning more on this as well

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by edgy

Thanks for that advice Kmarch......could you tell me what you mean by those two terms...early primary and complex hybrids?

A primary hybrid is a hybrid made by crossing two species. A complex paph is one of those big round waxy paphs, also called exhibition paphs, bull dog paphs or sometimes frog paphs. This exhibition type line of breeding is one of the oldest lines of paph breeding. The earliest of these hybrids, which were made in the late 1800s and some of which are primary hybrids, look similar to yours. So when I said "early" I meant some of these oldest hybrids.

[edgy]

BIG THANKS to both of you, Amersault and Kmarch.

[amersault]

you're very welcome! you've got a great-looking plant so post picts when it blooms!