How to interpret this - Paph question? - Orchid Board

The Mutant · #1 04-05-2012, 03:56 AM

One or two of you might have read my thread where I'm talking about being a Paph owner for a week, and recognize these experienced orchid growers attempts to give me some sound advice in regards to the watering of Paphs: someone is being stubborn...

So, anyway, yesterday I watered my Paph for the first time since I got it (ten days ago today) and now I'm wondering how to interpret the reaction I got from it and whether its time for a:

a

and a

to Glen, Camille, and Discus.

The reaction I got was a very perky spike when I got out of bed this morning; it has grown/straightened approximately 1cm (!) since yesterday! Isn't it supposed to be slow?

It's not supposed to do this, right? Is this a sign that I should've watered it sooner than I did?

I'm feeling so very at a loss when it comes to this guy.

camille1585 · #2 04-05-2012, 05:01 AM

It could be that the spike was a bit floppy from lack of water. Another telltale sign is if new growths are a bit floopy, or leaves don't seem to be as upright. The plant will still be firm and healthy looking. I learned this in the first few months I had mine.

10 days is a long long time for a Paph I think. Now I'm watering both of mine at least once a week.
But I don't think I've been growing Paphs long enough to be of much use for you.

The Mutant · #3 04-05-2012, 05:16 AM

Thanks Camille (even though you've only had yours for a few months, you're still waaay more experienced than I)! You confirmed my suspicions that, even though the spike hadn't sagged, it wasn't as perky as it could be (and probably is now). The newest growth were not floppy though, but I won't wait nine days till next time I'll drench it.

So, a:

are in place then. Thanks for not giving up on this stubborn newbie!

camille1585 · #4 04-05-2012, 05:28 AM

I would put a wooden sweker in the pot for the time being to judge watering, until you get a feel for it. That's what I've been doing for mine. If it's still soggy I wait, and once it's only damp and feels cool when I touch my cheek with it, then I water.

I noticed that it also seems to be dependent on the Paph cross bit. My roth hybrid visible suffers (as i described) when it gets a bit dry, but my big strap leaf Paph (Noid, but very likely Paph Honey) seems fine when it a bit dry.

The Mutant · #5 04-05-2012, 06:22 AM

I'll do that then.

Ray · #6 04-05-2012, 08:17 AM

Many paph species originate from areas with moderately-high humidity and warm temperatures, so that means a high dew point, so there's lots of condensation into the leaf litter into which they grow, and it doesn't evaporate quickly, so they tend to stay moist.

Moist, not wet with the medium saturated and holding a lot of bridging water in between the particles.

The Mutant · #7 04-05-2012, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

Many paph species originate from areas with moderately-high humidity and warm temperatures, so that means a high dew point, so there's lots of condensation into the leaf litter into which they grow, and it doesn't evaporate quickly, so they tend to stay moist.

Moist, not wet with the medium saturated and holding a lot of bridging water in between the particles.

Which means? I understand what you are saying but I don't understand what you are meaning (sorry for being a bit on the slow side)?

camille1585 · #8 04-05-2012, 09:10 AM

Which means what he says, they like to stay moist, not sopping wet. In nature they never completely dry out.

The Mutant · #9 04-05-2012, 08:02 PM

Ah, my bad, I didn't explain what I meant properly.

I understood what Ray said, but I didn't understand the intention behind the statement. Was it just a statement of facts or was there some sort of message that completely went over my head - maybe that I shouldn't wait too long between the waterings of my Paph? I'm trying to understand what the post have to do with my thread and how I can benefit from it to care better for my Paph; did it maybe mean that I should increase the watering, keep to what I've been doing so far, or maybe none of these interpretations are what Ray intended.

I have no idea what I'm rambling about at the moment, but I hope you guys understand what I'm trying to say. I need to sleep.

Bud · #10 04-05-2012, 11:50 PM

I put a saucer under the pot, then I spray the media not the plant and watch water come out of the pot to the saucer and I stop...it means it is moist but not dripping wet...I observe the top layer media if its dry I spray. Growing indoors can be dry than if its a green house; so I cant trust a week to pass bye.