repotting a paph in bud?

[ChrisV]

Hello,

I have a paph that is currently in bud (about a 2 inch spike at this point) that has pretty severely decomposed medium. I'd really like to repot it because im concerned about root health. One of the older fans is starting to get a little pale and I'm convinced that repotting might help. Do you think it's safe to repot, or should I wait until after it blooms?

I have had the plant for two years. I bought it when it was blooming two years ago and this is the first blooming since then.

Thanks,
Chris

[PaphLover]

I've repotted paphs in spike without issue.

I think of it like first aid: life over limb.

It would be sad to lose the spike, but at least the plant would go on to produce more.

[estación seca]

And Welcome!

[ChrisV]

Thank you!

Originally Posted by estación seca

And Welcome!

---------- Post added at 02:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:23 PM ----------

Thanks for your reply!

I ended up taking your advice and repotting. Things were much worse than I had anticipated when I un-potted my paph. Almost all of the organic medium had degraded and I am sad to say that what had formerly been a nice and robust root system had also died off and turned to mush. I had one primary rot remaining on each fan that was not yet rotted away. In the process of removing the dead material my plant sort of fell apart into three divisions. one two fan division (with spike) and two one fan divisions. The one fan divisions got potted together in a 3 inch pot and the two fan division went back into the original pot with new medium.

I purchased the paph. mix from Repotme. I've never used it before, but anything is better than that muck I removed.

At this point I care less about the bloom and more about the survival of the plant, if that is even possible with such a compromised root system.

Any thoughts about using rooting hormone on paphs with compromised root systems?

thanks again!

Originally Posted by PaphLover

I've repotted paphs in spike without issue.

I think of it like first aid: life over limb.

It would be sad to lose the spike, but at least the plant would go on to produce more.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by ChrisV

At this point I care less about the bloom and more about the survival of the plant, if that is even possible with such a compromised root system.

The pieces should survive. I would be tempted to remove the bloom spike, but you should listen to others, with more experience than I, when they post.

Originally Posted by ChrisV

Any thoughts about using rooting hormone on paphs with compromised root systems?

Most definitely do it. A kelp product dissolved in water is easier to use than a gel product. I use KelpMax from First Rays. You can find other products at a hydroponics shop.

[PaphLover]

Sounds like it was the right choice!

Based on what you wrote, I'd also suggest removing the spike and allowing the plant to recover without the stress of growing and blooming a flower. It takes quite a significant amount of resources to do so, and I think growing a better root system and saving the plant is your better option. ...back to my first aid adage.

I know it's also generally recommended to keep 2-5 fans together as they tend to create a stronger plant. I probably would have repotted all back up in one pot. (Others with more experience might have different advice.)

Good luck!

---------- Post added at 11:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:56 AM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

The pieces should survive. I would be tempted to remove the bloom spike, but you should listen to others, with more experience than I, when they post.



Most definitely do it. A kelp product dissolved in water is easier to use than a gel product. I use KelpMax from First Rays. You can find other products at a hydroponics shop.

Haha! you beat me to responding.

[ChrisV]

Alright, I have watered with 1 tsp/gal K-L-N rooting hormone and 1 tsp/gal MSU fertilizer.

I am not sure that I understand the benefit of potting them all in one pot if they are no longer connected to one another...but I am relatively new to this...any idea why that is preferred? At this point they are potted up and I think I will leave them as is, but I am curious for future plants.

Despite having sort of crappy roots, the largest division does have a lot of new root tips, two fans, and what looks like next year's fan beginning to grow. I hate the idea of clipping off the bud, but if it must be done to save the plant, I will cut it off. :-(

[PaphLover]

Paphiopedilum Culture Sheet

...see section at bottom on potting

[PaphMadMan]

You haven't said what kind of Paph you have, and it definitely makes a difference. With new roots growing, in most cases I would say that a spike on the largest division you described will not hinder the survival or growth of the plant, and if the plant can't support it the bud will abort on its own. The exceptions would be some multiflorals that put a lot of resources into a big spike, some fussy growing intersectional hybrids, and a few species that are weaker growers under less than perfect conditions. But most likely you have a vigorous Maudiae-type or sequential flowering or bulldog-type hybrid that won't even notice the setback.

[ChrisV]

Based on the flower and leaves I'm guessing that this is a maudiae-type hybrid of some sort. It came to me with no tag. Seems pretty sturdy.

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

You haven't said what kind of Paph you have, and it definitely makes a difference. With new roots growing, in most cases I would say that a spike on the largest division you described will not hinder the survival or growth of the plant, and if the plant can't support it the bud will abort on its own. The exceptions would be some multiflorals that put a lot of resources into a big spike, some fussy growing intersectional hybrids, and a few species that are weaker growers under less than perfect conditions. But most likely you have a vigorous Maudiae-type or sequential flowering or bulldog-type hybrid that won't even notice the setback.