Could it bloom? - Orchid Board

Amanda L · #1 01-16-2009, 04:02 PM

I bought this Paph, maybe 2-3 weeks ago. The cat knocked it off of it's table and I thought for sure the bud had blasted! The flower stem started to droop and the bud didn't look to be doing anything!

After talking with someone about the general care, they suggested to put it in a small thing of water, about an inch and let it sit, so the medium doesn't dry out and stays evenly moist. I did this and noticed that the bud started to look bigger and the stem wasn't as droopy.

So here are some pictures that tell the story pretty well, I think. The flower stem is bending towards the light and I'm trying not to move it around. Does that bud look bigger to you, or am I just wishful thinking?

Lagoon · #2 01-16-2009, 05:11 PM

Amanda,

You're paph looks fine - just get the bud more time to swell & keep it moist.
If you did'nt already know ... Paphs like to torture their owners

I wouldn't advise you to sip you're paph with bottom water - it could rot.
Now Phrags however, do like this and prefer to stay VERY moist, some even like the wet conditions.

I would say, you're about (2) to 3 days before it opens.

Amanda L · #3 01-16-2009, 05:25 PM

Thanks, for the information, especially for telling me in 2-3 days I could have an open flower!!!! That's VERY EXCITING for me!! Especially since I thought it was a goner, since it took that spill off the table!
As far as the watering method being used, I put an inch of water in a small bowl. The pot has a few pieces of "popcorn" in the bottom, so I'm pretty sure the roots aren't sitting in the water. It seems that it likes to be in this, because it started to perk up when I did it. I received a general care sheet with this orchid and it states on the back "Keep potting medium evenly moist at all times. It's okay to let this orchid stand in 1" or less of water." At first I thought this a bad idea, but as soon as I took the advice and asked some questions of the person I purchased this orchid from, I am letting the pot stand in the inch of water. It's happy now and may bloom, I think because of it.

Lagoon · #4 01-16-2009, 05:32 PM

Are you sure the advice was a Paphiopedilum and not a Phragipedium? I'm not trying to give you a hard time Amanda I just want to make sure

If you're paph did perk up, it needed to have water. Just make sure the water is going all the way thru out the media

Lookin' forward to seeing the slipper bloom, looks like it'll be a goodie

Amanda L · #5 01-16-2009, 05:38 PM

I'm pretty sure it was for the paphiopedilum, it was the first one I ordered from him and he new the plant well. I asked specifically about watering it and this is the advice he gave and the instructions on the back of the care/information sheet confirmed this. I don't think you are giving me a hard time, you are just concerned and don't want this one to be lost. I appreciate your concern, for sure!!

I'm very excited about this opening. It's a Green/White Maudiae hybrid. When deciding what my first Paph would be, the color is what made me choose it. Green is my favorite color, so it just seemed like the perfect one to get!

Becca · #6 01-16-2009, 05:41 PM

Hi Amanda! I am with Gloria....I wouldn't allow it to sit in a saucer of water as well....that is for certain kinds of Phrags...not paph's! The timing the bud swelling up more could have just been a coincidence. Plus...Paph's are known for taking forever for their buds to open! What is her name? She looks like she's going to be a beauty!

Amanda L · #7 01-16-2009, 06:00 PM

I can definitely vouch for it taking FOREVER!!! I have had her for almost 3 weeks and it seems like 10 years!!!

Roly0217 · #8 01-16-2009, 07:07 PM

Hello Amanda !!!! That Paph seems to be doing great to me. I think that what you might have been told is that you should keep it in a tray with water but don't sit the plant itself in the water. What I do with mines is I've got the trays with pebbles in the bottom and I fill up the trays until it barely covers the pebbles. Can't wait to see the plant in bloom !!!!!

quiltergal · #9 01-17-2009, 12:40 PM

Amanda, I'm with everyone else, I wouldn't let it sit in water. I think you just need to water more frequently to achieve "evenly moist". Right now it's evenly wet, and I fear your roots may rot. I do let my Phrags sit in water and "sip". That's how many of them grow in their natural habitat.

Post a

when it opens.

Amanda L · #10 01-19-2009, 05:48 PM

Okay guys, here is a brief update. My baby is going to bloom any day now!!! I can't wait to see it in all it's glory and share some pictures with you!! It is so fat right now and preparing to open right up!! We have may have pictures in a day or so!!!