Time for sphag and bag for paph?? - Orchid Board

caseydoll · #1 07-06-2007, 05:30 PM

I have a Paph. Hsinying Majukun' Dennis Choice' x Paph. lawrenceanum 'Tradition' that I repotted about 2 weeks ago in a bark mix. It looked a little floppy before I repotted it but it had to be done since I had just bought it about a month before and the mix was old. I put it in just a slightly larger pot and it's roots looked okay. No new growth but no rotten roots. It had a small new leaf starting in the center but I looked today and it was all brown. Also the leaves are now really floppy looking and it seems that if I was to pull on the leaves too hard it would break off. No rot or anything like that. It just seems like it needs to be watered but I've been careful about that too. So should I do the sphag and bag thing? Paphs don't seem to like me but I have good conditions for them or so I thought. Please help!

Sarah

Ray · #2 07-07-2007, 10:18 AM

Sounds like it's simply not getting enough moisture. Straight bark is notoriously hard to wet, especially at first.

Rather than disturbing the plant further, why not try this:

Water the plant VERY thoroughly (I'd keep it under a running tap of tepid water for about 5 minutes).
Wait 30 minutes.
Do it again and let it drain.
NOW put the plant, pot and all, into a clear plastic bag, fold over the top, and put a paper clip or something to hold it closed.
Keep it warm and shady.

The 100% RH environment of the "mini greenhouse" will keep the plant from desiccating further, and it will likely recover just fine.

Once it perks up, you can either water a lot more than you have been, or possibly put a sphagnum top dressing on the pot. Next time it needs repotting, go with something more moisture-retentive.

caseydoll · #3 07-08-2007, 08:14 AM

Ray, thank you so much for the reply. Great advice! I did exactly as you said so hopefully it will perk up. I did notice that even though I soaked the bark and watered it well after repotting that the pot was still very light the day after. But I didn't want to water again since I had just done so. That bark just doesn't want to hold any water yet. Thanks again!

Sarah

justatypn · #4 07-08-2007, 08:23 AM

Ray gave you great advise. I know with mine, I have to do my own medium mix adding additional sphag, perilite, charcoal to help retain water. I heavy mist in the early a.m. as well.

caseydoll · #5 07-08-2007, 08:32 AM

Thanks for the advice Cheryl! The bark mix I used did have perilite in it and I added some of another bark mix that was had a lot of charcoal in it too. But I don't think that there was enough of both to help with the large amount of bark. Next time I will have to add more of the stuff you suggested. I think I am a dummy when it comes to paphs!

Sarah