Unknown markings on Paph. leaves

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlowers

This is only on my paphs, would those critters affect my other plants? My orchids are in my room, and every watering and every time I see them, the only insect around them are like 2 fungus gnats. If bush snails are to be the problem, how would one go about solving it?

They live in the medium, nestled where you can't see them most of the time. If you have fungus gnats, the medium is probably broken down at any rate. You just got these plants, so it is very possible that you have "imported" some "guests" that may sneak out when you're not watching, like at night. Repot into fresh medium... rinse the roots well when you do the repotting, being careful, however, not to break them, Paph roots can be fragile. Paphs can be repotted at any time.

[PhoenixFlowers]

Ok, I'll do that. Thank you so much! Is it alright to rinse the roots under tap water?

---------- Post added at 06:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------

I do want to mention that these 2 came from 2 different sources. I bought one of them around 2 months ago and the other one a week ago.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlowers

Ok, I'll do that. Thank you so much! Is it alright to rinse the roots under tap water?[COLOR="Silver"]

Sure. Tap water won't hurt at all. Paphs aren't particularly fussy. In fact at the Huntington Botanical Gardens in southern California, where they have one of the largest Paph collections in the US, they found that their Paphs actually do better with well water (which is quite hard) than with RO. So that's what they use.

[PhoenixFlowers]

That totally isn't where I got my first paph

[aliceinwl]

I just want to add that tap water if fine as long as it’s not soft water. The Paphs won’t like the added salt. If you haven’t already looked, check out some pictures of Paph roots since they’re kind of different looking (brown and fuzzy) so that you know what to expect. Most aren’t prolific rooters so I wouldn’t recommend cutting anything and don’t use anything like hydrogen peroxide on the roots since this will damage them. Mine have all responded positively to repotting.

[PhoenixFlowers]

Ok, thank you!

[PhoenixFlowers]

So I repotted the first paph I got, the one that started blistering first. I didn't notice anything moving or any bugs in the medium. I will repot the second one after seeing how well the first one takes to the new medium.

[Roberta]

Good luck! Bush snails are tiny - like 1/8 inch or smaller, a big one can get up to 1/4 inch but usually not. Look like hard little pellets, they typically stay withdrawn into their shells unless they are inspired to move. So fresh medium hopefully got them out of the way if they were present.

[PhoenixFlowers]

I'll keep my eyes peeled. If the problem persists, is there something else that could be at play? Like the light bulb being too hot or something of the sort?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by PhoenixFlowers

I'll keep my eyes peeled. If the problem persists, is there something else that could be at play? Like the light bulb being too hot or something of the sort?

Always a possibility... feel the leaves when they're under the lights. If very warm to the touch, then you'll know. If the light is too warm (but you need it close for the brightness) , maybe add a fan so that hot air is moved away.