Preferred Medium

[JennS]

Oh good. Then outdoors they will go. I have had them inside after the original one starting looking like it was dying. It has roubounded, but I think I will have to get it in clear plastic too. I might have moved it into too big of a pot too quickly too. Do they like to be somewhat rootbound?

I guess I should have called this post, the million paph question post! Thank you for all of your patience and answers...I am sure more will come

[Ross]

Originally Posted by JennS

Do they like to be somewhat rootbound?

Not necessarily (at least not like most Dendros.) But they do need vertical space. I have had a terrible time finding clear pots tall enough for most Paphs. Paphs have a deep root system and can lift the whole plant out of the pot if not given vertical space.

[Becca]

I have been using a mix with CHC and I have some how managed to rot all the roots...and that is with watering about once a week....not sure what is going on...not sure if a couple will make it. Some of my paph's are doing great in s/h and aren't...been thinking of getting away from paph's because they just don't seem happy with me....but I just can't seem to let go of my paph. lowii and I really want a paph. dianthum....they are just to amazing to say no too!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Becca

I have been using a mix with CHC and I have some how managed to rot all the roots...and that is with watering about once a week....not sure what is going on...not sure if a couple will make it. Some of my paph's are doing great in s/h and aren't...been thinking of getting away from paph's because they just don't seem happy with me....but I just can't seem to let go of my paph. lowii and I really want a paph. dianthum....they are just to amazing to say no too!

I think you've hit the nail on the head! CHC may be fine for those with great watering regimes and climates needing water-holding capabilities. For lots of folks, like me, that water with a heavy hand, and plant in Paph mix with fine bark, we tend to water less frequently and rely on clear pots to confirm the mix is dry before we water again.

[Becca]

I will give the bark mix a try as soon as I get my hands on some! Any recommendations on where to get some from Ross?

[EdinAZ]

I NOW use fine (in all cases, large or small plants) coconut husk (4 parts), fine-med charcoal (2 parts), diatomite (2 parts) with "some" soil-less potting mix thrown in (a fair amount - maybe 1-2 parts?). They do fine in this, and I don't really monitor the water closely.

I have grown some (and still have some of them this way) in PURE soil-less mix, and they did fine in that, but it just seemed "extreme" to me.

Jenn . . . your question about temperatures . . . the mottled-leaf varieties TEND to be more warmth tolerant than the green-leaf varieties. I have a warm-intermediate greenhouse and they all do fine in that, although the mottled-leaf types are somewhat better bloomers.

Ed

[Lagoon]

Jenn,

I wouldn't keep this type of paph nothing below 60 degrees' Anything lower you won't see much growth. If keep very moist below 60 you have a better chance at root rot.

I use a mix of peatmoss, small bark & coarse rok (perlite)

[Ross]

For Paphs I use Paph & Phrag Orchid Fir Bark Mix.

[unhappykat]

I reccomend using a fine to medium bark mix, 2 parts bark 1 part perilite or fine pebble and 1 part charcoal, if you plan to leave them outside where they will get the rain. Use this mix with a slotted plastic pot if your plants are small or a clay pot if they are on the large side, I mean Rothschildianum big. Dont be afraid of the cool temps, i live here in California and my paphs stay outside until the middle of December when the first Freeze comes the nights drop to forty or less and I get spikes off any growth that is at least half mature. I wouldnt reccomend this for Sanderianum or Roth because they can be vengeful but most others do just fine. I grow with spag here because I cant water all the time and we dont get rain during the summer, but where it rains I would use this bark mix to allow moisture but not water logging. Put up some pics, I have the first cross with a spike on a growth only four inches across, weird.

[Ray]

First of all, we should keep in mind that your growing conditions and watering habits play a greater role in medium selection than does the plant. Secondly, what works well for one might be sure death in another's hands.

That said, the very first plants I ever experimented with in semi-hydroponics were mottled-leaf paphs, and they thrive in that culture. I have all of my slippers growing that way now.