Good medium for Paph repotting?

[ElenaMarie]

Hi Everyone!

The bloom on my Paph Supersuk 'Eureka' x Paph Raisin Pie 'Hanying' is crumpling and it will soon be time to repot. I purchased it in pure sphag and have been very careful about watering while waiting for the bloom to finish.

I purchased this medium a while back for my phals and decided it was too fine. I've read conflicting information on the proper media for paphs and was hoping you guys could look at the medium and let me know if it's appropriate. I put a quarter on top to give a sense of perspective.

There are some pieces of cream-colored rock in the medium but not a whole lot.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[billc]

Paphs will grow in pretty much anything, The problem is keeping the mix moist, not wet. If you want to try the mix you have, I would make up another pot of the same size so that you can water it the same as the plant, and knock the mix out after a couple of days to see if it's still wet or starting to dry out.

Bill

[ElenaMarie]

Originally Posted by billc

Paphs will grow in pretty much anything, The problem is keeping the mix moist, not wet. If you want to try the mix you have, I would make up another pot of the same size so that you can water it the same as the plant, and knock the mix out after a couple of days to see if it's still wet or starting to dry out.

Bill

Will do, thanks!

As an aside, paphs require a more moist--not wet but moist--medium than phals correct?

[quiltergal]

That's correct Elena.

[ElenaMarie]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

That's correct Elena.

Thank you! One more dumb question: paphs want to be in a smaller pot, kind of root bound, like phals, correct?

Just want to make sure I get this right. Thanks again!

[The Mutant]

Even though I'm a newbie myself I'll answer this one: as I've understood it they like being root bound so squeeze your darling into an as small pot the roots fit into as possible.

[billc]

Originally Posted by ElenaMarie

Thank you! One more dumb question: paphs want to be in a smaller pot, kind of root bound, like phals, correct?

Just want to make sure I get this right. Thanks again!

ElenaMarie, That's sort of correct. The paph itself could care less how big the pot/ container is. We mostly try to keep them in the smallest possible pot so the mix doesn't stay soggy for too long, causing the roots to rot.

Bill

[ElenaMarie]

Perfect! Thank you Mutant and billc.

Can you tell I'm a bit paranoid about this?

I've saved some egg shells and was going to use them when I repot the paph but I can't find any info. on how much to use, etc. It's getting a bit ridiculous isn't it?

[The Mutant]

You are not alone when it comes to being paranoid about your first Paph!

I've been doing some research on your Paph and it's apparently named, Paph. Hsinying Alien, if I've understood everything correctly. It seems as if almost all the Paphs in its background are not calcicolous, so I honestly don't know if you need to add any egg shells at all?

Maybe someone else knows more about it and can chime in.

[ElenaMarie]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

You are not alone when it comes to being paranoid about your first Paph!

I've been doing some research on your Paph and it's apparently named, Paph. Hsinying Alien, if I've understood everything correctly. It seems as if almost all the Paphs in its background are not calcicolous, so I honestly don't know if you need to add any egg shells at all?

Maybe someone else knows more about it and can chime in.

It has a name? Cool! That isn't on any of my tags, only the parentage. Thanks for finding that!