My Multifloral Paphs in Bloom!

[Nepenthesis]

Haven't been on this forum in a while but I thought I'd update now that my Paphs have bloomed! The flowers look amazing, here's a video I did to show them off...

Paphiopedilum Orchid Update [Cool Orchids & Carnivorous Plants] - YouTube

I got some comments saying that I should top water instead of letting them sit in water dishes. Truth is, they've been sitting in a few inches of water for 6 months and they're doing great. Anyone else grow theirs like this?

[Fairorchids]

Only PHRAGS, never Paphs.

Many PHRAGS grow at the foot of waterfalls or on the banks of streams. They do well with 'their feet in water'.

Paphs grow on the forest floor, cliff sides and in some cases as epiphytes. Long term they need airation through the pot.

While your plants are OK for now, I have to caution against growing Paphs this way.

[kimstwin]

Thanks for sharing your video and your beautiful plants. They are so neat looking. I never had any luck with paphs.

[Nepenthesis]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Only PHRAGS, never Paphs.

Many PHRAGS grow at the foot of waterfalls or on the banks of streams. They do well with 'their feet in water'.

Paphs grow on the forest floor, cliff sides and in some cases as epiphytes. Long term they need airation through the pot.

While your plants are OK for now, I have to caution against growing Paphs this way.

Is it okay to water them a bit and let the water run into the tray about an inch, then let the water dry all the way up before watering again?

[Bulbofett]

Thanks for sharing your video. I subscribed because I love seeing your enthusiasm for the plants throughout the entire video. Your plants are all so healthy and beautiful looking!

[Dante1709]

Originally Posted by Nepenthesis

Is it okay to water them a bit and let the water run into the tray about an inch, then let the water dry all the way up before watering again?

If they are potted in moss, then the moss could very easily wick the water up and cause problems. If you have bark, it isn't as bad, but still isn't a good idea if there are roots at the bottom of the pot.

[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Only PHRAGS, never Paphs.

Many PHRAGS grow at the foot of waterfalls or on the banks of streams. They do well with 'their feet in water'.

Paphs grow on the forest floor, cliff sides and in some cases as epiphytes. Long term they need airation through the pot.

While your plants are OK for now, I have to caution against growing Paphs this way.

I ditto this! Always honor the paradigm of the evolved perfection of the natural world in determining cultural practices.

And, congrats on your being moved to pollination, very exciting.

[Hiester]

Why take the risk of destroying beautiful plants by continually keeping wet feet when accepted and proven cultural practices dictate not allowing constantly moist feet?

Thank for sharing your video. The grow-house filled up rather quickly, huh?

[Nepenthesis]

I'll let up on watering a bit I guess, but honestly I feel like if they've all made it 6 months sitting in water, they can handle it. Just means I'll need to repot a bit more often.

Originally Posted by Dante1709

If they are potted in moss, then the moss could very easily wick the water up and cause problems. If you have bark, it isn't as bad, but still isn't a good idea if there are roots at the bottom of the pot.

Yeah it's all bark, I got them from a grower in Hawaii. I assume they were even more wet than I keep them because when I got them, the top of the bark was all covered in a soft moss which later dried out.

[NYCorchidman]

If the roots at the bottom of the pot are healthy, then I don't see why you need to change.
What you are doing is working for 6 months, and my thoughts are that the roots have adapted in that condition.

Remember that many people grow paphs successfully in S/H culture where the roots are constantly wet.

With this said, I personally prefer "conventional" way to grow paphs. Whatever works.

Beautiful flowers! Congrats and thanks!