Odd growth on Paphiopedilum

[OrchidPants]

My new Paphiopedilum just finished flowering and I notice a new growth at the base. Any idea what it is?

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

Your Paph is starting a new fan - Paphs are sympodial (new growth emerges from the base of the old growth). The new fan will grow and hopefully bloom when mature.

[OrchidPants]

Thanks for the welcome,
So will the current leaves ever bloom again or are they more like a cattleya with one bloom per segment? Also. will I be able to divide the plant once the new growth is more mature?

[WhiteRabbit]

No, that older fan won't bloom again. These can be divided, but since they only bloom on the new growth I wouldn't divide the plant until it has more fans. The older fans also help to support new growth.

[Ray]

I agree. You will find that a single growth will grow less vigorously than will a "colony" of multiple growths. I have also noted that as a colony matures, recently-flowered growths can start to put out two- and rarely three new fans, rather than a single one.