First paph and could use some care advice

[reliablefool]

I picked this little paph up at TJ's and don't know where to start. It seems to be potted in sphagnum moss and bark, is this a good medium? Should I let it dry out between waterings? Any tips appreciated.

[judith_arquette]

Beautiful plant, congrats on the new addition
I only have one so I don't have much experience (mine is a bulldog type noid, also in bark and sphag), the advice I was given is to always keep it slightly moist and not to let it dry out completely. I haven't checked the roots because I'm a little intimidated to try a repot with it but it seems to be doing well. It's just started putting out a new leaf in the newest fan so I'm guessing I must be doing something right. Good luck and I'm sure if I've given improper advice someone with more experience growing these will correct me. Good luck with your beautiful new chid

[lotis146]

Congrats on such a pretty little new addition. Paphs are thirsty plants and I always underwater them (until I put them outside and let all this rain work for me ) and mine have suffered/punished me for it. That said I agree with Judith, don't let them dry out. They like Phal light though some would say less I've found that Paphs don't require nearly the amount of shade I once believed. That said all hybrids are different so keep an eye on the foliage but I think Phal light should be good.

And again, like Judith said, the experts will chime in. Good luck!

[WhiteRabbit]

Nice find!

Also not an expert, but do have a (very) few Paphs ...
So, I used to overwater mine - not enough that the plants looked bad, but roots were always poor, so now I water when media is just very slightly moist (I use skewers to determine). Pot for the roots.

I've only bloomed one mottled leaf Paph (tho it was a faint mottling only) - it grew on a sill in a west facing window that gets a couple to a few hours of mid-late afternoon sun.

[reliablefool]

Thank you everyone. So the key seems to be not to let it get dry, but also not to keep it overly moist. It also sounds like they may like more sun than I am currently giving this one. I'm hoping I can at the very least keep it alive while I'm learning. Heh.

[Optimist]

It looks like a nivium x bellatulum. I have a bulldog too (a Churchill cross). Paphs are not quite terrestrial. They grow in leaf litter on floors of forests, so they are not actually in Soil. This means low light, and moisture. Mine came in bark mix. I put some chopped spagham moss in it too so I would not need to water every day. I've checked my roots. They are all very healthy and growing. Be careful not to mess with the roots much. They have little hairs that are fragile. In july, I'll be getting a bellatulum, and a venustus. I will be collecting only paphs for a few years.

[mtorchid]

Originally Posted by Optimist

Be careful not to mess with the roots much. They have little hairs that are fragile.

You might consider LECA pellets in a semi hydro environment. I potted this paph about 3 years ago and it's still in the same container and medium.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by mtorchid

You might consider LECA pellets in a semi hydro environment. I potted this paph about 3 years ago and it's still in the same container and medium.

That one has a beautiful flower!
3 years and still single growth??

---------- Post added at 01:33 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by reliablefool

I picked this little paph up at TJ's and don't know where to start. It seems to be potted in sphagnum moss and bark, is this a good medium? Should I let it dry out between waterings? Any tips appreciated.

I believe this is the same plant you posted under ID section, right?

This plant is mostly nivieum and godefroyae, and both of them grow very warm and quite wet year around in their habitat, but do not let it stay too moist all the time.
In the wild, they are sitting in between rock crevices and stuff so they have perfect drainage.

I don't grow in SH, so I can't say anything to you.
I grow my paphs (any paph) in bark or coconut husk chip based mix. Excellent drainage is essential to good growing.
Also, unless you can provide warm condition during the winter, do not water too much. Basically, water it good while it is actively growing and reduce when they are not growing.

[mtorchid]

<That one has a beautiful flower!
3 years and still single growth??>

Thanks, NYC, yes but it seems happy and I'm happy not to have to repot and disturb the roots.

[NYCorchidman]

You should up the growth number.
I want a division. hehehe
I really like that flower.