New orchids coming - Orchid Board

dbarron · #1 11-16-2022, 09:37 AM

I hadn't tried to grow a paph in at least 20 years (failed big time), but back in July I think, I got a small (very small) spicerianum and it has continued to look happy and push a new leaf since then, so I thought I needed to expand and try paphs again.
So...I ordered a complex/bulldog 'Starship' and since one can't order just one pot...because of shipping (and mindset), I also got a maudie type 'French Macabre'. Both are said to be of flowering size, since I don't yet have them in hand, I can't say if they're budded. I am of two minded on being budded, it would be wonderful to get immediate gratification and know what the complex grex looks like, but risks of bud damage in shipping and knowing I'll have to wait at least another year...*lol*.
Now, I get to obsess over tracking it. The weather had turned brutal since I ordered them, but the vendor assures me that with heating packs they'll be just fine. It made it to Little Rock (200 miles?) this morning at 12:11 am. Now I expect (from previous shipments) to watch it arrive and depart LR at least three times in the next 2 days before finally arriving either tomorrow or Friday (depending on how many times it loops to LR, I can only assume it's different facilities, but don't know) while I'm biting my fingernails and awaiting delivery.
Anyway, always nice to get new plants, especially something new to your cultivation scene.

tmoney · #2 11-16-2022, 10:44 AM

oh man! good luck with the new acquisitions!

our journey into paphs really cranked when we discovered that s/h can actually work for us, and as a general rule all our paphs are potted that way. watering is so easy, even though the frequency is higher. but, if you haven’t tried putting one of them in s/h, i would encourage you to try with one of the plants coming to you. we did many last fall and winter, and they all took to it just fine (even tho i won’t rec doing that as it sorta goes against the general advice)

we now have about 15, mostly species all super happy growing that way. give it a shot!

dbarron · #3 11-17-2022, 02:10 PM

Well they came...they weren't frozen and don't appear to have been frozen (despite deep freeze outside). The complex has a bud low down, the maudie doesn't, but I can hope I guess for it to develop in the next couple of months. I did not realize how big that bulldog was (windowsill remember?) It'll do though.
They're sitting in the sink draining after a good drink.

camille1585 · #4 11-18-2022, 08:44 AM

Those are some nice looking Paphs, and they seem to have survived the cold journey just fine!

I too used to fail miserably with Paphs, until I tried again last year. My problem was underwatering. Back when I first tried them I was a newbie grower and was deathly afraid of overwatering and alwys erred on the side of caution. Phals do ok with that sort of treatment but, as I've learned since then, not slippers!

dbarron · #5 11-18-2022, 08:47 AM

Yes Camille, that was ONE of my sources of past failure with paphs. Also over-fertilization, probably over exposure too. I'll try to do better this time

estación seca · #6 11-18-2022, 10:14 AM

Water is the main factor. If you use organic media like bark the constant moisture breaks it down rapidly. They really do need repotting every year or two in organic media.

tmoney · #7 11-18-2022, 10:55 AM

ha, yeah, our bulldog paph is a fairly large one as well.

have you considered semi hydro for the maudiea? that would easily solve both the underwatering and you can probly stretch full leca a bit longer than bark...2 birds with one stone! (if you can’t tell, i Love s/h for paphs)

dbarron · #8 11-18-2022, 10:57 AM

I don't want to master a new technology. As I just have (I counted because someone demanded it yesterday) just 25 orchids...I can water just fine in bark as each requires.

dbarron · #9 11-20-2022, 09:17 AM

Ok, here I go replying to myself again....but...
Ok, I decided time to take the new arrivals for a warm bath (watering time in the tub). And...though it's only been 4 days since they arrived and the bulldog bud was quite tightly in the leaf axil, it's now 2-3 inches elevated.
Being used to orchids that typically are quite slow growing, this is semi-astonishing to me (but pleasing).

Roberta · #10 11-20-2022, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbarron

Ok, here I go replying to myself again....but...
Ok, I decided time to take the new arrivals for a warm bath (watering time in the tub). And...though it's only been 4 days since they arrived and the bulldog bud was quite tightly in the leaf axil, it's now 2-3 inches elevated.
Being used to orchids that typically are quite slow growing, this is semi-astonishing to me (but pleasing).

Still, patience... Paphs can tease you for a long time before they actually open their flowers.