How easy are Paphs to look after - Orchid Board

RosieC · #1 09-19-2008, 03:16 PM

Hi, I'm quite a novice, I have three Phals and a Dendrobium. Two Phals are healthy, the other I know what I did wrong and it's now in intensive care. I've not had the Dendrobium for long so not had time to kill it yet

I'm interested in trying a Paph, I love the look of them, but are they difficult?

I'm not sure I'm up to a difficult orchid yet, I'm worried I will kill the Dend even though it looks fine so far.

So how difficult are Paphs?

mayres · #2 09-19-2008, 03:20 PM

The maudae type (with mutlicolored leaves) are especially easy - just as easy as a phal. I'd recommend you give them a try! They are low light like a phal too which makes them especially nice for growing in the home. Most important is to repot every year as they are prone to root rot if/as media breaks down - otherwise I have found them to be basically carefree. Good luck!

Lagoon · #3 09-19-2008, 03:22 PM

Hi Rosie,

I don't find them difficult at all. Phrags are also not difficult to grow. As a matter of fact, many find them easier to grow

What do you have your eyes on?

RosieC · #4 09-19-2008, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

What do you have your eyes on?

Not actually sure yet. I've seen some of their flowers on OB recently and just decided I really like their general shape. That and I want to expand away from Phals (well not away... just more variety).

That's why I made my recent dend. purchase, it was a NOID but had really pretty flowers (see my avatar) and was something different.

I don't know a place to buy Paphs locally (the place I've bought my current orchids from only has NOIDs in Phal, Dendrobium and 'Orchidee' (even more noid but I know they're not Paphs). So I'm going to have to search arround and see what I can find.

As you guys are saying they are not too difficult I'll definately start searching to see what I can find.

JennS · #5 09-19-2008, 06:12 PM

I agree they are not too difficult. I almost killed my first one though by neglect. Just make sure you water it frequently. That is all I can say because I have made sure to mist mine daily (almost) and water it when dry and fert. every week with my other orchids and it has put up a new bloom since I got it in May! It was in bloom then so I was pretty surprised to see this bud, but it just started opening yesterday. So, now I think they are easy, you just dont' want to neglect them!

kiki-do · #6 09-19-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennS

I agree they are not too difficult. Just make sure you water it frequently. That is all I can say because I have made sure to mist mine daily (almost)

Wow, I didn't know to mist them! I was told not to do that to paphs. That they didn't like their leaves to get wet. I'm forever learning here on OB.
I have five paphs that I haven't gotten to rebloom as yet, but I am learning and new to paphs. I find them rather easy to care for because their roots like to be moist and I like to overwater. Actually, I am trying not to overwater.

Rosie!

RosieC · #7 09-19-2008, 06:40 PM

How often do they generally need watering?

I'm currently misting a sick Phal twice daily so lots of attention is not a problem for me (in fact I peer closely at all my orchids on a daily basis whether they need attention or not - good job I don't have that many yet

Are they one of the ones that need more daily attention?
I'm good at that... I can get quite obsesive

mayres · #8 09-19-2008, 07:03 PM

I don't mist mine at all and they do fine. This is one genera that I have yet to kill a single one and I have about two dozen - they really are a hardy orchid in general. Frequency depends on media and environment - the ones in my office I routinely water once per week for years and they love it. Plants at home without air conditioning get twice per week in summer. Mine are planted in small bark and perlite but many other options are available. No daily attention needed.........other than to talk to them and tell them how beautiful they are! You might want to do that several times per day!

kiki-do · #9 09-19-2008, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayres

No daily attention needed.........other than to talk to them and tell them how beautiful they are! You might want to do that several times per day!

Ah-Huh!!! Exactly the piece of information I have been missing for the secret to successful blooms! Okay, so what language?

I am so there!

shakkai · #10 09-20-2008, 05:02 AM

Kiki, Try some Phrags - they are really, really difficult to overwater! I even have some of mine standing in saucers of water!

Rosie, I have seen some Paphs available at garden centres around me recently. Seems at least some of the 'pot plant manufacturers' in the Netherlands have started doing these. Keep your eyes open! I find the mottled leaf Paphs incredibly easy, and the bonus is that their leaves are nice to look at even when they are not in bloom!