Coconut husk is a medium that some growers swear by. Personally I hate it. For me, it holds too much moisture and minerals. That doesn't mean it won't work for you though. However, I strongly recommend that you repot any new plant as soon as possible. Now is a great time to do that, as the plant is probably starting into more active growth.
What size pot is it in? It may need a larger pot. Pots 5" or larger should be given a mixture of small and medium bark, in combination with perlite, charcoal, and (if desired) moss. Don't be afraid to repot your Paphs! They usually respond to a fresh mix with vigorous new growth. Don't worry about damaging a few roots, either. Just keep that to a minimum.
Viruses are pretty rare in Paphs. This doesn't look like a virus to me. It looks quite normal.
A calcicole is a plant that grows in substrates that are rich in calcium. They need to be grown with more calcium than other plants, but often tap water has enough calcium in it already. If you see calcium buildup in your kettle or other places that are exposed to tap water often, chances are you're fine. If you find that even with continual fertilizer applications though, your plant still struggles, try top-dressing the mix with dolomite lime or crushed oyster shells. As far as fertilizers go, pick ones that have a complete nutrient package. The label will tell you which elements are in the product.
Last edited by slipperfreak; 03-10-2010 at 10:18 PM..
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