Holes in leaves

[Nancy]

I recently went to Loew's and found a previously bloomed Path for half price. I was told that they have to keep netting over their orchids due to wild birds flying in and targeting them as salad. When I bought it I did not see any damage, but there actually is quite a bit. Every leaf has at least two holes in it. I was wondering if I should be treating them with something just to make sure that the birds didn't leave anything that might spread. Any advice would be helpful. This is my first Paph and it's got me a little intimidated as to its care any way.

[PhalPal]

A lot of growers will sprinkle cinnamom on wounds. I like to use Pharm Solutions, the pink flavor. It guards against fungal and bacterial problems and is a good leaf shiner as well. It is also safe to use indoors with pets and kids.

Second time I have talked about Pharm Solutions today!

[kmarch]

Nancy,

First off, don't be intimidated by Paphs. The approximately 450 Paphs I have all growing in a windowsill (more accurately shelves in a window), have unanimously asked me to tell you that you need not feel intimated by them.

Go to the American Orchid Society and download the Paph culture sheet and/or read the culture sheet on this forum. Depending on what kind of Paph it is, Paphs often do well with lower levels of light and are ideal for some folks who never thought they had enough light for orchids.

Give the sulture sheets a read and let us know if you have questions.

I occasionally get a bug nibble (especially in summer when some of the plants go outdoors), I've never used any kind of treatment on the nibble and have never had any problems. The biggest leaf problem I have had is with bacterial rot on thicker-leaves Paphs which I treat with a bacteriacide and increased airflow.

Happy Paph growing!

[evagentry]

If a snail bite doesnt hurt a plant than I doubt a bird bite will either, and Kmarch I like a person whose plants talk to them, I bet you talk back too dont you? so do I and my family think there is something slightl;y wrong with me ,oh well I tell them ther are worse things I could be doing.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by evagentry

...my family think there is something slightl;y wrong with me ,oh well I tell them ther are worse things I could be doing.

There certainly could be worse things one could be doing! Here's just a few:

compulsive gambling
compulsive drinking
compulsive ____(fill in the blank)____

After that compulsive orchid-ing doesn't sound so bad does it?

[rmt135]

Compulsive orchid-ing – I concur to that.

[Nancy]

I don't know. I spent $80 on orchids this past weekend. My paph is a Maudiae hybrid. From what I understand this is the easiest paph to grow. I thought it needed a more terrrestrial mix, so I bought a bag of Miracle Grow to plant it in. The potting mix has plant food already mixed in. The paph seems to love it so far. It is rapidly growing another leaf. I know there are probably better things to pot it in. I read that now they pot paphs in bark. I don't trust myself to never let it dry out. For now I'm going to leave it as is. I will be grateful for any future suggestions. Thank you all for the comments and encouragement.

[rmt135]

Nancy, love to see the flower when it bloom. Please post a picture of it.

[Nancy]

Will do. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions of another paph that is easy to gow. I love Kmarch's avatar. I'm really partial to red flowers. I think I'd like to stick to those with mottled leaves for now. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[rmt135]

As we move along in this thread, we will learn together. I just had my first Paph. & about to full bloom. Pictures were in another thread. I am also looking for another paph. that is easy to grow.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by kmarch

There certainly could be worse things one could be doing! Here's just a few:

compulsive gambling
compulsive drinking
compulsive ____(fill in the blank)____

After that compulsive orchid-ing doesn't sound so bad does it?

I'm trying desperately to quit smoking. It's very difficult. Compulsive behavior is like slavery.
But compulsive orchid-ing is a hobby and it is constructive. And by the way, I just started using the coir/perlite/charcoal mix on as many of my orchids as I could repot.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

Compulsive behavior is like slavery.
But compulsive orchid-ing is a hobby and it is constructive.

I agree with you on all these points but I do have to admit that if I go without going to orchid club or a show or orchid shopping for more than a month or so, I start getting kind of agitated feeling. Orchid withdrawl?

[PhalPal]

Rocinante my Mom quit smoking many years ago with a little mind game she played on herself. Every day she took the money she would have spent on cigarettes and put it in a glass jar so she could see the money growing. At the end of the month she took the money out of the jar and bought herself something. (Like Orchids????) It worked like a charm and if she could quit, anybody can quit. The best of luck to you!

[Rocinante]

I quit once then I went back and now it's 10x harder to stop. I'll beat it and know never again to touch them.

[evagentry]

I sympathize with you , I quit about 25years ago and it wasnt easy, but deffintly worth it,dont give up, and when you have succeeded, dont ever look back.Good luck.