Need help with a paph

[Paul Mc]

I bought a paph this year to see if I could have any success with it. I sat it on a east windowsill next to a Ludiscia Discolor (which is almost in bloom for the second year in a row). I have posted my pic's before and was told that it looked like the paph had encountered some dryness so I have increased watering since that time (sorry, these pics are about a month or so old).

My paph is a Wizardy x Nedra Coyner, and I understand that it should at least have the start of a bloom spike somewhere on it. When I bought it there were two bloom spikes and it has grown a new growth this year. I am concerned because I have not seen any bloom spikes at this point which is clueing me into the possibility that I may not be doing something correct for this little fella - and I would really like to make him happy!

It has a humidity tray that I keep full at all times, and I have increased my watering to 2 times a week. The medium it came in seemed to be the correct medium from what I read which appears to be a mixture of some sort of rocks. I put sphag moss on the sides of the container so the rocks would not fall out.

Is it possible that the dryness this year made it not bloom?

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated - especially as I'm considering buying another one. I would like to know that I can be successful with paph's before I purchase more - I can't believe I'm saying that, lol...

[Gin]

Patience is the word of the day it depends on several factors the amount of light it received , Temps. ect I have some that bloom way later or earlier then what is said about them .. Yours looks very good and I am sure it will .. Gin

[billc]

Gin's right, patience is the key. One thing you didn't mention is your night time temps. You may want to try a temperature difference of 10-15 degrees lower a night. Paph's also like a fresh mix. Those ceramic pots like you seem to have don't breathe so well and the mix tends to go stale after a while. The plant looks good.

Bill

[Paul Mc]

I actually just purchased some paph potting mix, so I will repot once it arrives. RePotme.com suggested that paph's should be repotted at least once a year - so I will give that a go.

I'm glad to hear you guys think the plant looks relatively good, that's a relief.

Nighttime temps got down into the upper 50's at night before I shut all of the windows, and the temp got down to mid 30's before I closed the storm windows as well. I do that to help the plants experience the cold, and then have cold drafts at night from the window and our heater.

Thus far, almost all of my phal's have started spikes, and several of my oncidiums have as well. Patience - lol... OK, if you insist!

[Ray]

In addition to a bit more moisture, it probably can handle more light than you're giving it.

Ludisia discolor will do great in deep shade, but the paph needs more light than that. Not a lot more, though, and certainly not direct sun.

[Paul Mc]

Oh, thank you for that tid bit of info on light! I will look into fixing that.

[Duane McDowell]

Plant looks fine, Paul. A bit more water wouldn't hurt anything, but it looks really good. The new growth isn't quite mature enough to be showing a bud yet. Be patient - it looks like it's big enough and strong enough to bloom for you.