Paphiopedilum in s/h and new leaves keep dying

[datperson12345]

thanks guys i appreciate all the help last couple of questions before i stop.
when do paphs do most of their growing? and is the depth fine?

thanks

[NYCorchidman]

the planting depth is fine.
One thing though, instead of shoving in moss like that, I would just gently put a bunch over the top and around the base of the plant. That way, it is not soppy wet but moist.

[datperson12345]

if there is a new fan growing will my setup kill it or will it die? because when summer started i saw new growth before i left it alone in a clear bag for 3 months, unfortunately i think it died, so will this be fine for future new growths? and do paphs get new growth during winter with the right conditions or do they only grow in the summer?

[NYCorchidman]

Only time will tell.

I read that when you switch plants from regular (or should I say conventional?) orchid potting mix to S/H, all the roots die, then the plants regrow new roots tailored to grow in the new environment.
The new growth rotting might have something to do with just fungal attach, which may or may not have been assisted by the base of the plant being planted a bit too deep thus staying too wet.

What kind of paph is your plant?
Most hybrid paphs and species will grow year around as long as the conditions are favorable.
Only some species that have considerably cool or drier winter may halt growing during those times.

Judging by the appearance of the leaves of your plant, I believe it is a paph that does not have distinct "rest" period depending on the environment you provide.

[billc]

Originally Posted by datperson12345

if there is a new fan growing will my setup kill it or will it die? because when summer started i saw new growth before i left it alone in a clear bag for 3 months, unfortunately i think it died, so will this be fine for future new growths? and do paphs get new growth during winter with the right conditions or do they only grow in the summer?

Your 'setup' shouldn't cause a new growth to die.
Not sure what you mean by "I saw new growth before I left it alone in a clear bag for 3 months"
I find in my conditions(under lights) that new growths can start at any time, but I guess more start in early spring.

Bill

[datperson12345]

When I received my plant from Germany it was bare root so I repotted it in s/h and put a bag over it to provide good conditions I filled its reservoir to the top and put a clear bag over it to increase humidity. I left it there for 3 months and I got rid of the bag when I saw its reservoir was running out. The fan died.

Its a paph woluwense(Paphiopedilum Transvaal x Paphiopedilum liemianum) from roellken orchids.

[NYCorchidman]

I think S/H is recommended for plants in GREAT condition (especially roots) because plants have to adapt to a very different growing conditions.

I do see some good roots in your pictures and you mentioned that it went from 3 to 6, so I believe it is working and the new growth rotting out was just too much moisture due to deep planting.

[datperson12345]

hi, it's me again and i've noticed my medium has some molds in the medium and a brown spot/mark on the leaf,

is the mold harmless and do the brown marks have the potential to kill my paph?

[Ray]

Another mistake is not cleaning ALL of the organic material off of the plant before repotting it. All of that sphagnum is going to rot, and as you've now got it with a permanent water source, it's going to stay soppy in direct contact with the plant tissues.

@NYCorchidman - When roots grow, they tailor themselves to the conditions they are in, so that they function optimally. Once grown, the cellular structure cannot change. Move the plant to a slightly different environment, and it's not that big of a deal, as those old roots can still function "reasonably well". Move it into a drastically different one, and all bets are off, hence the preferred potting time of "when brand new roots are emerging".

Move a plant from soppy sphagnum to S/H culture, and the plant will view it as an upgrade, and carry on with no root loss whatsoever.

[datperson12345]

So should I repot it again and wash the plant properly or will it be fine if I leave it alone or will it die if I don't do anything about it?