Seeking help for my Paphiopedilum spicerianum

[alwayslearning]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Some roots don't look great but there are some that are OK. My advice would be to not cut. Even a bad root can help hydrate the plant. It's not always possible to tell a good one from a bad one, so better to just leave them. With better aeration from new medium, potential problems of rot, etc. tend to resolve themselves.

For the future, how will I be able to tell which ones in the photos don’t look great and which ones are okay? I didn’t cut any roots in the end, although there were some that were so soft that they separated during the repotting process.

[Roberta]

The ones that come off in your hand likely bad. The ones with the outer coating (the fuzzy part) that is black and rotted, not so good either but the core of the root may be OK. The fuzzy brown roots are good. (Paph roots look really different from the roots of other orchids) You have to be rather careful in handling Paph roots generally... even the good, fuzzy brown ones can break off fairly easily and you certainly don't want to lose those.

[alwayslearning]

Thank you! Your advice will certainly be helpful the next time I repot it.

[estación seca]

As to the leaf pits - The second set of photos makes me think those are probably mechanical damage from being scraped or squeezed.

But, to be sure, take a tissue and run it with gentle pressure under the surfaces of the leaves from base to tip. If there are spider mites you may see reddish or brownish streaks.

Then get a magnifying glass and look at both surfaces of the leaves. Spider mites are extremely tiny 8-legged beasties that may be reddish or brown. They weave very fine silvery cobwebs, usually under the leaves at first.

Mealy bugs are fuzzy white things with long antennae. Scale insects look like tiny limpets stuck on the plant. They vary in color.

I personally don't ever cut roots. If some fall off that is fine. I can't tell for certain which are alive and which are dead.

You will find a great many videos and Web sites advising orchid root cutting. I have never believed it is a good idea. If you had a sick tomato plant, would you uproot it, cut off some roots, put it back in the ground, then expect it to do well?

[Ray]

It appears to me that the plant has severe root issues that have been preventing water uptake.

In nature, paphs tend to live with their roots spread widely in the soil/leaf litter interface, so they, are constantly moist and rarely soppy. We tend to grow them more contained, but the key is mimicking those conditions.

Originally Posted by alwayslearning

As far as fertilizer goes, once a week when I water I'm using FoxFarm Big Bloom organic fertilizer that's labeled as 0–0.5–0.7

Throw that away; it is worthless. Nitrogen is, by far, the most important plant nutrient, and that isn’t providing any. Get another, decent fertilizer containing substantial nitrogen. Divide 8 by the %N in it, and the result is the teaspoons/gallon for weekly application.

As you’re trying to revive that plant, I highly recommend that you get some Kelpak, a supplement that acts like a plant IV, supplementing it’s natural juices so it has more energy for recovery. (I know this recommendation may seem a bit mercenary to some, as I am the US retail outlet for the product, but I only sell it because it is so good.)

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by alwayslearning

Hello, everyone!

I just read about this forum on Reddit and it seems like such a wonderful place!

Welcome. Glad you decided to drop in.

[tmoney]

howdy, and welcome!

just wanted to say that if you are able to keep it going thru the winter (and honestly i think its gonna do much better now that you have potted with some drainage and are caring for it) - i would strongly consider using semi-hydro grow method.

we have a few paphs, including spicy, and they are just perfectly suited to that method...or that method is pefectly suited for them. just wait until spring and you see new roots start to pop out. in the meantime, maybe research and get your materials in order. i am a huge proponent of s/h for paphiopedilums.

anyways, welcome again, and best of luck with the paph!

[alwayslearning]

Originally Posted by estación seca

But, to be sure, take a tissue and run it with gentle pressure under the surfaces of the leaves from base to tip. If there are spider mites you may see reddish or brownish streaks.

Then get a magnifying glass and look at both surfaces of the leaves. Spider mites are extremely tiny 8-legged beasties that may be reddish or brown. They weave very fine silvery cobwebs, usually under the leaves at first.

Mealy bugs are fuzzy white things with long antennae. Scale insects look like tiny limpets stuck on the plant. They vary in color.

Thank you so much for all of this advice, estación seca. I'm pleased to report that after doing the checks above I haven't found any evidence of spider mites or mealy bugs!

Originally Posted by estación seca

You will find a great many videos and Web sites advising orchid root cutting. I have never believed it is a good idea. If you had a sick tomato plant, would you uproot it, cut off some roots, put it back in the ground, then expect it to do well?

That's a great point about root cutting and the comparison with tomato plants. Thank you again.

---------- Post added at 10:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

In nature, paphs tend to live with their roots spread widely in the soil/leaf litter interface, so they, are constantly moist and rarely soppy. We tend to grow them more contained, but the key is mimicking those conditions.

I love this point about mimicking natural conditions, and that is helpful to keep in mind. Thank you, Ray!

Originally Posted by Ray

Get another, decent fertilizer containing substantial nitrogen. Divide 8 by the %N in it, and the result is the teaspoons/gallon for weekly application.

I appreciate the helpful tips on fertilizer and the recommendation to use Kelpak. Would you or others on the forum recommend using a different fertilizer in addition to the Kelpak, or only the Kelpak? Also, should the Kelpak mainly be used during the revival period and then tapered off later on as the plant becomes more healthy, or should the Kelpak be used indefinitely?

---------- Post added at 10:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:23 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Welcome. Glad you decided to drop in.

I certainly am as well. Thank you so much, Dusty Ol' Man.

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:24 AM ----------

Originally Posted by tmoney

howdy, and welcome!

Thank you, tmoney!

Originally Posted by tmoney

i would strongly consider using semi-hydro grow method.

we have a few paphs, including spicy, and they are just perfectly suited to that method...or that method is pefectly suited for them.

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the semi-hydro grow method. What does it entail?

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by alwayslearning

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the semi-hydro grow method. What does it entail?

Everything you need to know is located on Ray's website. Semi-Hydroponics™ Basics › First Rays LLC

[dbarron]

How's it looking? I hope improved?