Repotting Paph wrapped around mud ball

[Irene]

I got this Paph today from a local orchid grower. Their flowers didn't look all that great and not much selection. But then I don't have much selection of growers.

Anyway, I bought a very nice Paph. It's fairly large with many growths. Currently in bloom.

I always like to check inside the pot when I get a plant home. This paph was so root bound, it had taken on the shape of the pot with no visible medium. The top was covered by some sort of carpet moss that was hard as a rock. I couldn't get inside the roots, so I soaked it for 30 min or so and tried again.

As I wiggled my fingers inside the root mass, it felt like mud! Gooey and squishy. I was a little put off as I didn't know what might be crawling around in that mess. I was able to make an opening wide enough to get a little of it out and to investigate a bit more. That mud was once bark. There were pieces of bark inside that smooshed into mud at the touch.

Ok the problem is, I can't get these roots untangled to get the rest of the sludge out. The majority of the roots seem healthy with some rotting ones on the inside of the mat. I've had it in water for 2 hours now and it is still not softening up enough to untangle.

My question is, is it acceptable to cut through some of the healthy roots so I can get to the center to wash out the rest of that mud?

Sorry, no pics. I don't have a camera.

Thanks!

[lmartiny]

I've found "muddy" goop in the middle before. (Not paphs, but others) Seem like it was some sort of starter pot and almost like soaked and yucky florist foam stuff. Did you try to spray it out with water? I pinched at it and broke it up some. I'm not familiar with Paphs, but with others I got in there best I could and cleaned it up some and sure, a couple good roots got damaged.

[kmarch]

I would not cut healthy roots, especially on a Paph. They can sometimes be slow to grow new roots. Can you go up form the bottom?

[Irene]

This was organic material that had broken down so much that it turned to sludge when I re-hydrated it. Really, really gross. I couldn't pick it out because it would smoosh in my fingers. I did spray it with kitchen tap as best I could. Even got a dental tool to scrape out some of it.

3-1/2 hours I worked on cleaning that stuff out! And not completely done, but exhausted. So the paph is repotted in some newer stuff and I'll be keeping a close eye on her.

It really is a beautiful plant. I could divide it into 7 or so. I'm thinking this one was forgotten about in the greenhouse. Bone dry, and overgrown.

Got my fingers crossed.

edit: just saw new post. No couldn't go up from bottom. The roots had formed their own pot. There was no open space. It's done now. Hopefully not too much damage.

[lmartiny]

Sometimes you just have go for it. I do more than I used to. I relaxed my approach. It'll work or not. Same outcome really.

[patticake]

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it does. I wouldn't divide it. I would grow it on to a large specimen! (If you have the room)

[Irene]

Hold everything!

I don't think it's a Paph after all. It appears to be a Phrag, according to the wonderful picture ID thread in the newb area (many thanks for that thread!).

Anyway, it seems to be doing well after the minor surgery.

In my defense, it was sitting on a table with Paphs and no ID. I can see I'll need to get a camera for this hobby.