are paphs generally slow growers?? - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 08-20-2008, 12:25 PM

Hi,
I have a Paph Maudiae Hybrid that I bought and repotted about 2 months ago. It's my 1st Paph, and I would feel more confident about it if I could just see some new growth, but in the time I've had it, there's been none that I can see. I was so curious yesterday that I unpotted it to be sure that the roots looked ok, and they did, but (as best I can remember how they looked initially) they have not grown AT ALL. I have looked for info about this on the net, but I cannot find specifics about their growth rate, so if you will please, I would appreciate it if you'd reply to me with your thoughts on this. By the way, I re-potted it yesterday in all new spagh., as it's been since I've had it.
Thanks in advance,
Vicki

bonsai1504 · #2 08-20-2008, 12:47 PM

paphs do grow pretty slow and i have read thet they LOVE to be repotted.

VickiC · #3 08-20-2008, 06:17 PM

Hi,
I'm glad to hear that.....that paphs do grow pretty slow, that is. It's also good to know that they love to be repotted, since I un-potted then re-potted it just yesterday. I was concerned that it didn't especially like being disturbed. Now that I know that they enjoy it, I'll plan a repotting session for it every Tues.

JUST KIDDING! All silliness aside, thanks for helping me. It makes me feel better to know that there's nothing wrong with my paph.....and that most likely I didn't do anything wrong to it, either (hopefully!).
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonsai1504

paphs do grow pretty slow and i have read thet they LOVE to be repotted.

Lagoon · #4 08-20-2008, 06:31 PM

Hi Vicki,
I hate to be a bummer but *some* paphs are slow growing, many are not.
Yours should be doing abit better (imho)

You could be seeing slow growth becuz of lighting - warmth and watering.

Maudiaes are one of the faster growers, you should be seeing a number of fans yearly aswell as blossoms.

If you like, you could tell us more about your growing conditions for this paph. It helps us, too help you more

VickiC · #5 08-20-2008, 07:08 PM

Hi,
Don't worry about being a bummer because that's certainly not the case. I appreciate input from all of you....whether it be positive or negative.

First of all.....you speak of fans.....what are fans? Secondly, I'll be happy to tell you about my paphs growing conditions: I have it sitting in an east window somewhat behind a larger pot so as to rather shade it slightly. Not having had one before, I wanted to be sure that I didn't "smother it with sunlight" as I have read that it is not a bigtime sun lover at all. The temps where it is (in the kitchen) are about 75-76 degrees in the day and about 73 degrees at night. I've been watering it approx. once each week, although I sometimes mist the spagh med-heavily from the top during the week.

If you.....or anyone.....can help me further, I would appreciate it.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Hi Vicki,
I hate to be a bummer but *some* paphs are slow growing, many are not.
Yours should be doing abit better (imho)

You could be seeing slow growth becuz of lighting - warmth and watering.

Maudiaes are one of the faster growers, you should be seeing a number of fans yearly aswell as blossoms.

If you like, you could tell us more about your growing conditions for this paph. It helps us, too help you more

Mahon · #6 08-20-2008, 07:39 PM

Yeah, your Paph. Maudiae should be growing faster than most Paph. hybrids or species. A "fan" is a single growth on a Paph... as for conditions, I'd suggest getting it out of the stagnant house and outside under a shady tree/spot, since you live in Alabama.

As for re-potting, Paph. don't really take well to this. A simple repotting can set the plant back to not bloom during the next season. Also, they are more prone to breaking the root tips. I've never seen a 'branch' in a Paph. root, they grow from the growths, and if the tip gets damaged, the root will end right there and harden.

Also, very few Paph. are slow growing. Usually, the larger species (Paph. giganteum, Paph. kolopakingii, Paph. stonei, etc.) are the slowest. For the most part, when they find good conditions, they become a weed.

My two cents...

-Pat

Ross · #7 08-20-2008, 08:24 PM

I'm tending to agree with Pat. From my experience with my collection, "fast" can be a relative thing, but compared to a Cat or intergeneric or something like that, they are weeds. All of mine have at least one new fan developing and a few have 2. As they get larger I get more fans. I have new fans simultanious with blossoms from the last fan to mature. I tend not to repot unless I see evidence of some problem in the mix. I use clear pots, so this is pretty easy. I fertilze with every watering. Not all Paphs get same watering regime. I have several minis that get water more often cause the pots dries out. I have some larger ones that get water less often because the pot dries more slowly. But direct observation does it for me. Mine are in a south window with pretty high light. Both green strap-leaf and mottled green sit side by side with no adverse effects.

VickiC · #8 08-21-2008, 02:42 PM

Wow...I am really looking forward to some faster-growing from my paph, now that I know what will help the situation. Maybe it will be happier and show me some "signs" that it is.

Thanks so much to you, Pat and everyone for helping me get on the right track with it.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

I'm tending to agree with Pat. From my experience with my collection, "fast" can be a relative thing, but compared to a Cat or intergeneric or something like that, they are weeds. All of mine have at least one new fan developing and a few have 2. As they get larger I get more fans. I have new fans simultanious with blossoms from the last fan to mature. I tend not to repot unless I see evidence of some problem in the mix. I use clear pots, so this is pretty easy. I fertilze with every watering. Not all Paphs get same watering regime. I have several minis that get water more often cause the pots dries out. I have some larger ones that get water less often because the pot dries more slowly. But direct observation does it for me. Mine are in a south window with pretty high light. Both green strap-leaf and mottled green sit side by side with no adverse effects.

Soonix · #9 08-20-2008, 11:20 PM

I might take advantage of this thread rather than start a new thread with the same question. Is Paph Pinocchio a slow grower

? Its had 1 new leaf in 6 months or so the other paphs are doing pretty good.

Thanks

cirillonb · #10 08-21-2008, 12:29 PM

I hope it is OK to comment on Paph'Pinocchio'. I purchased one in bloom in Jan and it has bloomed successively ever since. I count 6 spots. Now a very vigorous fan is growing alongside the one blooming and a smaller one further out. It spends most of its time in the living portion of the house...no sense putting a flower on a window sill looking out. Otherwise it is about 14 inches back from an East facing window. It is still in the grower's medium (looks like large bark chips).
I have a problem with a Phaph. Ho chi Mihn. It has done nothing since purchased. At least has not obviously died but I wonder some times. I can see roots growing but nothing on top.
Nick