My First Paph - Orchid Board

PaphMadMan · #1 06-03-2010, 06:37 AM

The leaf looks like normal die back except that the plant is so small it doesn't seem like the leaf should be old enough for that. I would suspect a poor fertilizer program or unhealthy roots, or just a plant that is developing abnormally for genetic reasons. The plant is definitely too small to support even one flower, and 2 flowers is rather unusual for this type of Paph. If you want to just enjoy the flowers for as long as they last and assume the plant will not survive go ahead. But if you want the plant to have a chance to live you can let the first flower open to see what it looks like then cut the flowers off, repot the plant and make sure it gets good fertilizer. This is a 'complex' or bulldog' type Paph. It should be easy to find complete culture instructions.

Rosiefuture · #2 06-03-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

The plant is definitely too small to support even one flower, and 2 flowers is rather unusual for this type of Paph. If you want to just enjoy the flowers for as long as they last and assume the plant will not survive go ahead. But if you want the plant to have a chance to live you can let the first flower open to see what it looks like then cut the flowers off, repot the plant and make sure it gets good fertilizer.

On the nurserys growing label it's got the potting date at May 2005, could this plant really be five years old?
Also I've read on here that when the flowers die the fan will wither and die too, this plant only has one fan!

Paphmadman I think I will do as you say, I'll let it bloom, take some pics and then remove the flowers and repot it. Would the fact that I use a different fertilizer than the nursery account for the rapid development of the bud? Apart from that fading leaf it seems to be really happy in my sunny kitchen window.

Marion

Rosiefuture · #3 06-03-2010, 07:22 AM

I decided to take it out of it's pot and look at the roots but I don't know what paph roots should look like. The ones on this orchid are brown, slightly 'hairy' and firm. No mushy ones, there are also signs of new root growth.

Can anyone tell me if this is what the roots should look like?

Marion