leaf wrinkling on Paph niveum

[Jeff214]

Hello,

The leaf of Paph niveum is wrinkling and I wonder if that is due to lack of water or something else (pest?) ? I've been reducing the water frequency during winter and because it isn't actively growing.

[Ray]

Sure looks like dehydration to me.

Winter is not a dormancy period for paphs, in my experience. All of mine are in active growth right now.

[Jeff214]

Thanks for the confirmation, Ray.
All my other paphs have been growing over the winter, except for this one. I was giving it similar amounts of water as the others but looks like it can certainly handle more.

[Ray]

You might want to unpot it and check the roots.

[Roberta]

The bark also looks a bit on the large side, so more frequent watering probably needed. Paphs don't like drying out at all.

[Jeff214]

Thanks, I will check. Paph roots should be brownish/off white ish right?

I've never taken a paph out of a pot yet... having heard that the roots are very fragile. I may practice on a cheaper one first...

[Roberta]

Paph roots tend to be brownish, often fuzzy. They also don't tend to adhere to the medium or container particularly, usually are very easy to unpot, shako off the medium (maybe rinse under faucet if cruddy), pop back into pot with new medium, pack firmly (but gently) with fingers. Just handle gently, don't tug on roots because it's too hard to tell a good one from a bad one (some species they're more fragile than others) A whole lot easier than Catts.