Mottled leaf paph loosing it's mottled look.

[Paul Mc]

Yeah, the roots have not been very happy with me. My other paph is growing roots like mad!!!! This one just has not been happy with me since I got it 2 years ago. Came in bloom, but has not bloomed since.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Yeah, the roots have not been very happy with me. My other paph is growing roots like mad!!!! This one just has not been happy with me since I got it 2 years ago. Came in bloom, but has not bloomed since.

"When in doubt, repot". Paphs should be re-potted in fresh mix every two years. It is probably going on 4 years for yours. if you bought it from a vendor in bloom or in bud 2 years ago, it had been in that mix for at least 1 year and maybe two. Definitely time to repot....NOW.

CL

[Paul Mc]

Actually, I repotted earlier this spring - twice because the issue was persisting so bad after I had originally repotted it.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by Paul Mc

Actually, I repotted earlier this spring - twice because the issue was persisting so bad after I had originally repotted it.

Okay. Consider the following:
Too big a pot? Temps too cold for mottled leaf types? Mix holding too much/not enough moisture? Not enough light? Humidity too low? If in the house, in a draft? And any other questions that come to mind.

I once had an awarded Maudiae cross that persisted in going downhill. I ended up with one small fan with one root, put it in a Zip Lok bag with mix and treated it like a Cym Back Bulb. It took over a year to grow roots and new leaves and was strong enough to move into a pot. But it did survive to bloom again. It still is a most difficult plant to keep happy and needs a very small pot and yearly re-potting.

CL

[Paul Mc]

Cym Ladye, what temps would you consider too cold and warm for mottled leaf types?

If anything, I think it might be holding too much moisture but I'm not sure since I'm new to paph's. My other paph I water on the same schedule pretty much and it has grown like a weed, but it's not a mottled - so I don't know what that means.

I had it out in probably more sun than it desired over the summer and fall, but I did not notice this issue progressing until I brought it in. As a side note, I watered it far less when it was outside as well, so perhaps it is a water based issue.

The humidity in my house averages in the 50's to lower 60's with occasional dips into the 40's during the winter months. This is because we have a humidifier in the heating system to keep this old house more moist during the winter to avoid damage to the wood and old windows.

As for drafts, those old windows are good at letting in drafts, lol... However, none of the other orchids in my collection seem to mind it in the slightest, so not sure that's truly it (though I guess it's a possibility still).

As for light, it's probably on the higher end than a mottled prefer's based upon my research. But when I attempted to move it to lower light before the issues really ramped up into high speed. I have moved it back out of so much light though in the meanwhile as I understand that suffering orchids need some light reduction to focus on healing.

I will say that this Friday's OS meeting has a paph and phrag "specialist" speaking - so I really hope to learn and ask questions about my situation. I'm afraid of taking it in though because I don't want to infect any one else's, and I just cut off the evidence of what it was doing so not sure anyone seeing it at this point would be helpful.

[Lagoon]

Paul, can you take shot of the whole plant, I'd still like to see it. If all you're other paphs are thriving .... It sounds like it just maybe a weak grower, dunno.

[Paul Mc]

LOL... Sure, I will take a picture. Actually, if you go to my list located on the right side of my posting (under my location, age and posts information) you will find it there. Also, you might want to check out my album because I did upload some pictures when the problem first started there. Otherwise, I'm not sure today's pics would yeild much information but I will try.

BTW, I'm laughing because you said "all you're other paphs." I only have one other, lol... But it's happy with me!!!

[Lagoon]

Oh OPPS, I thought it was you Paul that got a herd of paphs not long ago. I really gotta catch up here, lol!
Anyways I'm pretty sure you'll get more someday,lol

[Paul Mc]

Me too, if I can get this one to survive!!!! I have not gotten any more paph's other than one I just could not live without because of my experience with this one.

BTW, I really appreciate everyone's thoughts here. I have actually posted about this issue a few times without resolve. The problem comes and then it goes. I just haven't figured out why yet despite the reading and research. This is the only orchid in my collection that I continually have troubles with!!! LOL.... I'm dumbfounded.

[keithrs]

How are your roots? Yellow to brown from the tip down is a water problem or root problem.....

You should repot for your roots not the green stuff..... Small root system-small pot.... Try straight Orchiata bark. I would go with size power.... Great stuff for paph.'s

It might be best to go to distilled/tap water mix @ 90/10..... The TDS with fertilizer added and the build up in the mix may be too much. Fertilizer @ 75 PPM N once a week. Have you had any water analyst done?

This is a warm-Inter. plant..... 50-85, 50+% humidity