Paph in dirt ?

prisana · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 06:45 PM

I've just received a Paph. in the mail today and it came in this wet and loose potting medium that looks a lot like soil ( very fine and very black ) What is it ? I think I'm seeing a spike beginning to push through the crown. Should I leave it be or repot it ? For now I just threw on some fine bark on the top of the medium hopefully to absorb some of the wetness . The plant looks super healthy, just don't know if it's a good idea to leave it in the mix that is very slow to dry out or give it a fresh one now. Any idea ?

**kmarch** · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisana

I've just received a Paph. in the mail today and it came in this wet and loose potting medium that looks a lot like soil ( very fine and very black ) What is it ? I think I'm seeing a spike beginning to push through the crown. Should I leave it be or repot it ? For now I just threw on some fine bark on the top of the medium hopefully to absorb some of the wetness . The plant looks super healthy, just don't know if it's a good idea to leave it in the mix that is very slow to dry out or give it a fresh one now. Any idea ?

Hi prisana,

As you've probably heard me say in other threads what's important is giving the plant what it likes and usually that can be done in a variety of ways. If your plant is strong and healthy and possibly in spike, it would seem this "dirt" was the ideal mix for the conditions of the nusery your bought it from. It may or may not be the best mix for your conditions.

You could leave it or repot it. I have received bareroot Paphs in spike and potted them up and had them go on to bloom nicely so I am of the opinin that it doesn't matter much one way or the other on that.

If you leave it potted as it is in the "dirt," get your skewer method going and monitor how wet it is inside the pot. These loamy mixes can stay wet for a long time. You may find you only have to water it once every 10 days to 2 weeks in this stuff. Monitor it closely and water only when necessary (Paphs like gently moist at all times).

If you repot it, use a moisture retentive mix, one with fine to medium bark, chopped sphag, etc. When unpotting, just let whatever mix that falls away go. Maybe give it a gentle rinse under the faucet but don't try to "clean" the roots off. This can damage the delicate hairs on Paph roots.

If you get a chance, post some pics of your Paph when it blooms! What kind is it?

prisana · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 08:54 PM

Kevin, I'll wait and see if it's in stress or not to repot then. I don't know why but I'm always freaking out about new plants that are in unknown medium..sorry bout that

Do you think it's dirt that it's in ? Not that it really matters, just curious.

It's Paph. Scott Ware . It's quite big , compare to the rest of my paph but only 2 growths.. I got it from Krull Smith . I'll be sure to post a pic when it blooms

Thanks for your help as usual, Kevin.

**kmarch** · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisana

Kevin, I'll wait and see if it's in stress or not to repot then. I don't know why but I'm always freaking out about new plants that are in unknown medium..sorry bout that

Do you think it's dirt that it's in ? Not that it really matters, just curious.

It's Paph. Scott Ware . It's quite big , compare to the rest of my paph but only 2 growths.. I got it from Krull Smith . I'll be sure to post a pic when it blooms

Thanks for your help as usual, Kevin.

Prisana,

I know many people who take their new plants home and immediately repot them regardless of whether they need it or not. They do this so the plant is in a mix they know and they know how fast it will dry out, etc., etc. There's a certain wisdom to this and is a perfectly sensible habit to get yourself into.

Not being able to see and feel what it's in I can't say if it's dirt or not.

Scott Ware is a nice Paph to have and Krull-Smith, in my opinion, is one of the 4-5 best places in the world to buy Paphs. The Paph I got awarded back in February and which is my current avatar, came form Krull-Smith. I can't wait to see your pics!

kellyincville · #5 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 03:54 PM

I just went to Krull-Smith's website and looked around. Holy ghost orchid they are beautiful!

I've completely fallen for the Iowii 'Miami.'

**kmarch** · #6 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 08:39 PM

Kelly,

Which plant is that? I'm not beign able to find it on their site.

prisana · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2007, 09:53 PM

Kevin, Just got 2 more Paphs in today..a venustum and a Paph. Milmoore x Duncan I'm in heaven. They have been a a hot truck for a while it was steaming inside the box when I opened...hope they will be okay. I dunked them in water and they are now sitting on wet pebbles. The venustum's leaves are so beautiful..the most beautiful of all the paphs I have ..I am breathless.

Iowii is the one they have on page 12 ..actually I don't think ' Miami' is the one for sale ,probably just the selling it's cross. I would love to have that one too if it wasn't going for $125

**kmarch** · #8 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 01:04 AM

Iowii? <Gentle admonition approaching> Lets take another look at that spelling.

It's not "Iowii" with a capitol "I" but it's lowii with a lower case "L". I was quite confused because I 1) had never heard of Paph Iowii and 2) was quite sure Krull-Smith didn't have anything called Paph Iowii for sale. This is a good example of why names and especially the correct spelling and capitalization of orchid names is so important.

Paph lowii is very popular here in Australia. i've got a few lowii seedlings that are doing well, awarded parents and all (not the same as KS) so in about 5 years I should be able to post a pic!

Paph lowii is fairly easy to grow and believe it or not, $125 for a blooming size plant of awarded parents actually seems quite reasonable to me. That's not to say it's is within everyone's budget, just that it seems reasonable for what you're getting.

I bet you can find a less expensive lowii if you want to try your hand at one. I think there are other vendors around who have them. There are some stunning lowii hybrids too. Remember Vivienne's award-winning Paph Susan Low? The "Low" part of it is Paph lowii.

Happy Hunting! And Growing!

prisana · #9 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 08:18 AM

Kevin, for some reason the L and the I escaped me

I should be able to stop embarrassing myself soon as I get all these caps and non-caps in orchid names stright ( know the rules, but forgetful )

You're right, I've been looking around for lowii and found a bunch of them that are very reasonable , mostly are seedlings and near mature plants. Don't know if I need anymore Paphs , but we'll see.

**kmarch** · #10 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 08:48 AM

I'm sorry prisana, but at the end of your post you broke into some language I don't understand. You said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by prisana

Don't know if I need anymore Paphs ...

I'm mystified....is this perhaps some alien language from another world? ....don't ....need ....Paphs .... I'm sorry it's just beyond my comprehension.

Vivienne · #11 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 08:57 AM

ROFL!! I'm glad I wasn't the only one who didn't understand that Kevin.

**Tobi** · #12 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 09:06 AM

Prisana and Kevin,
All this Paph talk has got me hungry to see some pics. Surely you have
some beauties waiting to have their pictures taken?

sandra · #13 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 09:34 AM

Hungry Tobi? Here you go.....(tease, tease

)

**kmarch** · #14 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 09:35 AM

Tobi,

I don't have much of my own right now. I have one group of things fading away and another group in spike but nothing in between. I did however judge at the Marybinong Orchid show tonight and took lots of pics so I'll be gettign those up some day.

I'm crazy insane busy here these days. I have a new orchestra work beign premiered by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra at the end of August and another work being premiered by Halcyon in Sydney in October. Everything must be finished by the end of the month so I'm working like a mad man here.....except not right now...I'm unwinding before bed.

All that to say more pics soon.....

**Tobi** · #15 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 09:46 AM

Sandra - very lovely and healthy looking.

Kevin - I know you are extremely busy this month and I can't thank you
enough for the time you spend with us here. Good luck with
everything and we'll be awaiting your pics

Vivienne · #16 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 10:05 AM

Sandra - is that the bud you've been waiting on? GORGEOUS!!!

sandra · #17 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 10:42 AM

Vivienne, no but it's from the plant that's now growing its' second bud. When I bought it, it was in bud and fun to watch. The bud now growing is 10X more exciting because I helped it along! Very satisfiying.

P.S. Lizzie says hi to you!

kellyincville · #18 (**permalink**) 07-13-2007, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmarch

Iowii? <Gentle admonition approaching> Lets take another look at that spelling.

It's not "Iowii" with a capitol "I" but it's lowii with a lower case "L". I was quite confused because I 1) had never heard of Paph Iowii and 2) was quite sure Krull-Smith didn't have anything called Paph Iowii for sale. This is a good example of why names and especially the correct spelling and capitalization of orchid names is so important.

Thanks for the explanation Kevin and sorry for the confusion! I actually debated with myself whether it was a capital I or a lowercase l...sigh* I'll remember for next time!

Also if anyone has any suggestions for a good starter lowii

for a newbie I would apprepriate it.

Kelly