Paph lifecycle

[dbarron]

Got another question to ask about paphs (having only killed them in my last attempt (about 25 years ago)...doing pretty much everything wrong). The seven I have now seem to be doing well and I'm actually thinking the bulldog (bought just prior to bud appearing last winter) may actually flower again this year...the new offset (single) is growing so fast!

But the question is, is it a sign of health for more new growths to be produced (most of mine are making three or maybe even four)? I know in most non orchids this would be a good sign.

[Fairorchids]

It sounds like you are doing just fine.

The number of new growths is mostly an issue of genetics. Some plants readily start 2-4 new growths from each old growth, others do just 1-1-1-1-1 . . .
Obviously, if conditions are detrimental, not all of the new growths will make it.

[dbarron]

Gotta say that's words I want to hear Kim, thanks

[DirtyCoconuts]

all i know is i have tried to grow about a dozen paphs and phrags and i have only ever gotten two phrags to flower. lots of growths, a few i killed, but 6-8 plants just 'making it'

i have assumed it was because i allowed them to get too dry too often or it was just too damn hot here but i know i am not providing them with the right conditions and they are annoyed.

many other genus will still flower albeit with less vigor but these guys just wont if you dont hit the right notes

[dbarron]

Well, thankfully I'm at the stage that if anything flowers then I did something right.
However, I have not *ever* flowered a paph on my own...so I may have your exact same luck...darn it's hot outside

[Ray]

FWIW, try a couple of waterings with a 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) per gallon Kelpak solution spaced two weeks apart, and most paphs and phrags will initiate multiple growths.

[snowbell]

My Paph delenatii was causing me to wonder the same thing about the typical paph growth cycle. It bloomed in February and for the next several months did nothing but grow roots. Just a few days ago I noticed that it is finally producing a new growth. Good to know it's normal.

[tmoney]

you mentioned the delenatii, snowbell, and that one is one that has given us pause on occasions.

but i just wanted to add that the worst ones for us are the ones that take forever to start a new growth after they bloom. there's that couple months where im just cursing that we killed another one! specifically, the micranthea, and philippinense have done that. but thankfully, with waiting and NOT throwing them in the trash, they eventually start to put on a new growth.

the others that have tested our patience are the suuuuuuper slow growers. charlseworthii, bellatulum, some of the larger strapped leaf varieties as well. man, shoulda started this hobby 25 years ago if i ever wanna see a bloom! thankfully, even tho their leaves don't grow at all for over a year, we can see that their roots are growing so we have confidence that eventually something above the media will start to change.

paphs are great

[Roberta]

Where there is green there is hope! I don't trash non-performing plants, they often do perform eventually. There are some, like many Dendrobiums, that REALLY look dead... and turn out not to be. Those I keep around for a year or so before giving up, and often have been rewarded by leaves and flowers coming from bare sticks. So patience, patience, patience!

[dbarron]

Hah, well my Paph French Macabre (a maudiae type hybrid) is budded. Do I get to count it as 'mine' with it being in my possession for 10 months now, or only if the entire growth occurred under my care? I'll be certain to share when it flowers. Taking a guess Nov-Dec timeframe.
I thought last week when I watered, it was looking likely, but the sheath is now distinct from a normal leaf and I'm sure.