Paph growth question

[Vivienne]

Have a question about paph leaf growth. 3 (only 2 pics) of my mottled leaf paphs seem to be growing 'up'. Is it normal for certain types? Will these leaves eventually flatten down? What is causing them to grow so tall where the prior years growth is spread down low to the media. It's only these 3 paphs - all the others are growing like the prior growths.

[tom499]

What direction does the main light source come to the plant? if the leaves grow so there more side on it usually means because more light is coming from that direction. The growths of my paphs tend to grow strongly in the direction of the window they are by.

[Vivienne]

hmmm - I guess the light source is coming from an angle. The skylights are 10' up and about 3' away. Did that make sense? And if you add in the angle of the sun right now, the actual sunlight falls a good 10' away. They get bright ambient light I guess you would say. But again, all my paphs are in the same location and it's only these 3. I also turn my plants each week.

[tom499]

read your 1st post again

mottle leaved paphs like less light than plain leaved ones, prefering shade. It could be that there getting too much light, so are growing oddly.

have to wait for an experienced grower to chip in

[Vivienne]

could be - thanks Tom. I'm thinking it may be too bright for them, but not sure. It's tinted light so it's really hard to judge light in my atrium.

[kmarch]

Vivienne,

Take heart, your Paphs are fine. It's not unusual for Maudiae-type Paphs to grow "up" like this. I have 2 doing this right now. The leaves may eventually flatten out a bit. Your light is fine. If it were too bright your leaves would be pale. Your plants look healthy. Keep up the good work!

Cheers!

[Vivienne]

Phew! Thanks Kevin!! They are some healthy plants... just the 'up' part had me questioning things. I kept thinking... one more leaf and it'll flatten out, but I guess it might take more than one leaf. LOL

[WIB]

My paphs usually make fairly vertical new growth, then flop. It seems to be true across the board, maudiae and others. In general, the healthier the plant, the more vertical the new growth. The exception seems to be a Paph. moquettianum x Paph. delanatii 'Giant,' which has consistently horizontal foliage.

[kmarch]

All of my Brachys are pretty flat too.

[jerrymeola]

I find that I get that growth pattern when the light levels are very low, but it does not seem to effect the growth of the plant so I ignore it.

[jbigio]

Hi Jerrymeola
if its low light doesnt it effect your blooming?

[jerrymeola]

I will find that out later but paph take very low light levels normally.