Help, my recently repotted Paph is going downhill fast

[camille1585]

I have a nice Noid Paph (my only Paph) that I bought 9 years ago, and it's one of my favorite plants. In July I repotted into some fresh mix, as I usually do every 2 years, except this time it reacted very, very badly.

I repotted into the same type of mix it usually gets : medium bark with a bit of sphag mixed in. When I unpotted it had some decent roots, and the plant naturally divided. I potted them separately thinking it was great to have a back up. A few weeks ago I grew concerned by the state of the plants, and thinking that the mix was too dry (new, high quality bark that doesn't wet easily and I forgot to soak it in hot water before repotting) I unpotted to double check. All the roots are brittle and dead... I'm thinking that the combination of new hydrophobic bark and my 3 week vacation without water, during the august heatwave was too much for them.

My question is, what now? After checking the roots I soaked them in Kelpmax and potted in them back into the same mix (but soaked) and they are looking worse and worse. Do Paph grow new roots off old growths, or is new growths their only hope? I'm hate to lose them, they have a lot of sentimental value.

First photo is what it looks like in bloom, and the other photos are the 2 divisions as of today.

[SouthPark]

I haven't looked before to see how the roots grow in paphs. But I know for sure that if the paph hasn't flowered from a growth, then it can keep growing new leaves ----- and I assume it will grow more roots too.

At the moment - depending on the state of the roots ----- if there are some of them that are still functioning/working, then that's great.

Otherwise, it may be necessary to cut down on dehydration by using 'sphag N bag', or maintaining some adequate level of humidity in the growing area ------- (but also providing adequate and gentle air-circulation/movement). This is to just give time for the plant to develop more roots.

Those paph flowers are incredibly nice Camille. I can definitely see why every effort can and should be used to help this one recover.

[Leafmite]

I have a poor little delenatii that I know wishes someone else owned it so I am just going to wish you luck.

[estación seca]

I've had similar accidents. I would give as much humidity as possible. It's a race to see whether new roots form before the leaves run through all their water. Do you have access to an old aquarium?

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've had similar accidents. I would give as much humidity as possible. It's a race to see whether new roots form before the leaves run through all their water. Do you have access to an old aquarium?

I don't have one, but can see what I can find in second hand shops on my day off wednesday. If I can't find one, all I can think of is to put plastic around the shelf they're sitting on to creat a mini greenhouse of sorts. I was also thinking of ordering a heat mat for some young phals for the winter, but could put the Paphs on it instead.

[WaterWitchin]

As ES says... a definite race. Small aquarium, an acrylic box, plexi-glass, put next to a humidifier. Whatever you can do to keep the humidity as high as possible. It is a lovely bloom as well, by the way.

[Ray]

...or just invert a clear plastic bag over the plant and pot to trap the evaporation from the medium.

[camille1585]

Now, duh, why didn't I think of a plastic bag? Seeing as they're hard to come by especially in large sizes, I cut and taped together a bunch of smaller plastic bags and made a tent for the plants. Two questions: Is the lack of air movement going to be a concern? And would a heat mat help at this point? It's getting cooler now that fall is here, and my current temps are not as suitable for rapid growth...

Photo is a bit dark, but darklight hours are starting to be in short supply.

[DrDawn]

I have no advice, my little paphs have yet to bloom. Wishing you lots of luck!

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Is the lack of air movement going to be a concern?

It can potentially be an issue - the lack of air-flow that is, as it could allow unwanted things to grow on the plant - such as certain sorts of fungus. A mini-fan (a little DC fan, or a couple of them) placed somewhere inside the tent ------ or some holes of suitable size could be made in the tent maybe - but not so large as to get back to the original problem of dehydration.

But - with the tent, the orchids certainly have a much better chance to recover than without the tent.

A heat mat could definitely help. Just make sure that the temperatures inside stay within a suitable range ---- safe temperatures for the orchid.