Preferred Medium - Orchid Board

JennS · #1 07-24-2008, 03:17 PM

I am wondering what everyone prefers to use as a medium for their Paphs. I have two, one of which I bought in flower around May of this year, and I think I had too much fruit near by and the flower died in about a week. It could have been just at the end of the cycle, but I don't know. Anyway, I have another Paph that I have had for about 3 years this December. It came to me in flower but has never rebloomed. IT was in the in this tiny little pot about 1 sq. inch. I can't believe it could even flower. Anyway, it has not really grown much since then. It looked nearly dead at one point and seems to be on the road to better, but still not good. The roots were pretty much gone when I decided to repot it and it has been repotted once since in spag both times. It seems somewhat happy, but stays wet for several days inside my house. I have moved it outside to try to let the heat dry it out faster, but then it gets rained on! Is bark a better medium? The other Paph still looks good, but came in spag, and doesn't dry out very quickly either. The top of the spag is green too, could it be alive? I will try to get some pics tonight.

I know I rambled, but I just wanted to give a thorough background. I would really love to keep the newer one from going downhill and get the first one back on track. I live in Orlando, FL and could keep them indoors or out in a North facing (but very bright, no shading) or West facing window). Don't mind misting, watering daily, already do that with the vandas.

These are the names of the two (don't know if they like warm or cool growing): "Paph. Raisin Pie 'Hsinying' x
SIB (Paph. Sukersuk 'Eureka' " and Paph. Black Cherry x Red Prince

Thank you!

quiltergal · #2 07-24-2008, 03:51 PM

Most Paphs are semi-terrestrial and as such would probably prefer a fine bark mix. I'm using fine Coco husk chunks with perlite and charcoal. I know some mix in oyster shell because they like the lime.

JennS · #3 07-24-2008, 04:11 PM

Thank you for the quick reply. I had the one in bark before and it did not seem very happy, but I think I let it dry out too much between waterings because I was not paying it much attention.

If the roots don't have the little hairs on them, does that mean they are dead? I don't know how they look, and think I better inspect, but I am sure some of them might be dead. I am just not too sure how to spot a dead Paph root yet.

Ross · #4 07-24-2008, 04:17 PM

I have the Raisin Pie cross myself. I use commercial Paph mix (fine bark, a little sphagnum, a bit of charcoal and shell) and prefer clear Paph pots as I can monitor the wetness of the medium. These can be tricky at first since they don't like to dry out, but not wet either. I wouldn't worry about the roots as long as they have whiteish tips (or grow them later on).

Royal · #5 07-24-2008, 05:01 PM

I barely kept my Paphs alive until I used coconut husk chips. They all (I only have 3) have made an about face! They love the CHC so much better than anything I've tried. I was thinking about s/h for them until they perked up in the CHC. It really turned them around for me. My Cymbidiums are loving it too.

shakkai · #6 07-24-2008, 05:02 PM

The mix I use is made up of bark, perlite and charcoal. Small bark for small pots, larger bark for larger pots.

JennS · #7 07-24-2008, 05:19 PM

Does anyone offer any advice as to whether those two like warm or cool growing temps? Indoors it is about 75-85 F during the day and maybe down to 65-75 at night. Outdoors is 80-95 F during summer in they day with about a 5-15 degree diff at night. Winter varies between 50s-70s day and occassionally a cold snap at night which they get brought in if there is a frost coming.

Ross · #8 07-24-2008, 05:22 PM

I have 7 different Paphs (including one of yours). Mine are in temps similar to yours. I think you'll be fine. High temps in 80s don't seem to bother them. (My Raisin Pie is in double blossom right now.) Low temps, down to 60, don't bother them either. Adam (stonedragonfarms) grows his down to 50s at night in winter and gets great blossoms.

JennS · #9 07-24-2008, 05:37 PM

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 · #10 07-24-2008, 06:14 PM

Quote:

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.