Slipper spots???

[kiki-do]

Hi All, One of my slippers is beginning to have one leaf turning yellow (bottom one) and the others have these brown spots, however not too many. This slipper has not blossomed in over a year. This is my problem with slippers, they only bloom the once and not again, but do produce new leaves. Anyway, I try to keep it moist, but not overly wet. I have it in medium light, not bright or direct. I fertilize every other watering. This one is in a clay pot, so I have had the clay pot sitting on pebbles with water to help keep moisture around it. Never directly in water, of course. I never mist them.
What am I doing wrong? Or right? What is causing the spots and yellowing? Thanks for any suggestions and/or ideas of what this may be.

[Ross]

I'm not an expert (far from it) but I do think the yellowing leaf is just getting ready to shed. My paphs do that ocassionaly as they grow new fans. Not sure what you are seeing on the other photos. The leaves look normal to me.

[kiki-do]

Hi Ross, Thanks for answering me. I tried to show the spots. They are here and there, and was on that last photo, but doesn't show up well at all. There aren't many, but they weren't there a week ago. I was thinking of taking it out of the clay pot to a clear plastic and see what happens.

[quiltergal]

I looks like there is some pitting on the leaf in the last pic. Other than that it looks pretty healthy. If you repot I'd use finer bark if you have it.

**Disclaimer** I know very little about slippers.

[kiki-do]

Thank you Terri....disclaimer duly noted! Suggestion is much appreciated! What does "some pitting" on the leaf mean?

[Gin]

Hi , some of mine are shedding old leaves that is normal . The pitting is called cell collapse can be caused by a number of things , change in Temps. water Temp . Humidity , the moon turned blue lolol . It is fairly common in Paphs . as long as the pitting is not dark and soft .. I would not worry . Disclaimer for me too Gin

[gmdiaz]

What do you do if the spots are dark and soft?

[tbaenziger]

Kiki,
I have quite a few of these, and I've been growing them (mostly leaves: you are right about not blooming, they are rather shy) for nearly ten years.
Here's what I see. The pitting can have many causes, but most likely you have spider mites, pesky, nearly invisible creatures that are very difficult to eradicate (they generally hide on the undersurface. They especially like any Paph that has weak roots.
I strongly suggest repotting, because Paphs love it, because your bark looks saturated and near collapse, and because its the only way to truly check the roots. While you are at it, clean any dead roots... pulling gently but firmly so as not to break the growing ones, and then toss the whole thing in a solution of soapy water (I use woolite, about two tablespoons per gallon of room temp water): let it soak for a few minutes, naked, making sure the whole thing is submerged. Meanwhile prepare a plastic pot just barely big enough to hold the roots (translucent if you like, they seen to appreciate the extra light). A few plastic peanuts in the bottom, then arrange the roots so the plant stands up and the growing part will be just barely covered by your fine mix. I prefer one that has some crushed oyster shell in it, but it is not really necessary. Fill it in by tapping the side to get the mix in contact with all the roots. If you mix was presoaked (overnight), you do not have to water for a few days; otherwise you need to get the new mix quite wet and then leave the plant to think about ROOTS. In other words, do not put it into bright light yet. In a couple of weeks it should perk up, the leaves will be stiffer (more turgid) and you can start giving it more light. Your growth looks like it is ready to bloom, so go for it!