Help! my Paph is looking droopy!

[superbelks]

I don't know what to do, my co-worker knocked my paph over one time and ever since then I repotted her in bark medium and she just hasn't been the same, looking very droopy. Can somebody please help????

[Bolero]

It looks underwatered to me.......I could be wrong. What were the roots like when you repotted? Were they strong healthy roots or were they damaged?

What conditions does it grow in and how often do you water?

[slipperfreak]

I agree with Bolero... it seems to need water really bad. Are you sure it wasn't damaged when it got dropped? Did you soak the bark before you repotted it?

[superbelks]

No I did not soak the bark before I repotted it. I usually run it under lukewarm filtered water for 2-4 minutes once a week. Should I be doing more? Should I repot it again? I don't know if it was damaged when it was dropped.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by superbelks

No I did not soak the bark before I repotted it. I usually run it under lukewarm filtered water for 2-4 minutes once a week. Should I be doing more? Should I repot it again? I don't know if it was damaged when it was dropped.

You must soak the bark for 24 hours before you repot or it will not hold any moisture. That's why your plant is droopy. You will need to put the pot, plant and all, in a bucket or tupperware container and soak it in water (fill up to almost the top of the pot) for a day. You will have to put some heavy objects around the pot to keep it from floating/tipping over in the water. After that, check it daily to see if it needs water. When it is nearly dry, but not yet bone dry, water it again. Once you've done that a few times you'll get a feel for how often the plant needs to be watered.

[Bolero]

Yes you may find depending on your conditions that you may need more than one watering per week. You will get a feel for it over time by feeling the weight of the pot. For example in Summer I water several time a week but in winter once a week is fine. If you grow inside you might have warmer conditions.

It's good advice to everyone to remember to soak your bark before using it.

[superbelks]

Thank you so much guys, I will get right on it. You've been extremely helpful. I had heard about soaking the plant, but I didn't know for how long it was appropriate and I'm terrified of causing rotting in the root by excessive watering.

[RosieC]

I don't think you will cause rotting by one long soak then letting it fully drain afterwards. You don't want to do it all the time or leave it standing in water regularly but as a one off to get the bark soaked it should not be a problem.

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by RosieC

I don't think you will cause rotting by one long soak then letting it fully drain afterwards. You don't want to do it all the time or leave it standing in water regularly but as a one off to get the bark soaked it should not be a problem.

I agree. The plant will welcome the moisture, and one day will do it no harm. But definitely you won't want it sitting in water all the time.

[Bolero]

Agreeing with the others as well.