Need paph SOS

[tarev]

I got this paph late January 2011 from an orchid show. From January to March of 2011, it was growing nicely, sending her blooms sequentially (photo #1). I was reading about semi-hydroponics and tried to move it to that set-up mid March (photo #2) and sad to say it did not like it, so I moved it back to a traditional bark set-up. The leaves have really dwindled by then and finally some recovery when new leave came about. However by this Fall, it seems to be going downhill again (photo #3). Any suggestions, or should I just let it go to orchid heaven...

[Ray]

Most paphs I move int S/H culture absolutely love it. What made you think the plant didn't?

Tell us more about your growing conditions.

Sad to say, that puppy looks like a goner. Probably over-stressed moving it from one set of conditions to another and then to a third.

[tarev]

When it was moved to s/h, the leaves started to wilt, at first I thought it was just shock adjustment, then was left to only one viable leaf, so I decided time to return it to bark late spring. So back to bark, and 3 new leaves came about in a few weeks. As the weather changed to fall, that is when I notice the gradual leaf decay starting from the base.

I grow my orchids indoors, in a west facing window. This is one of two paphs that I have. The other paph that I have is not a sequential variety, but it is thriving well, but not in s/h set-up, still in bark. Was trying to see if indeed s/h will work.

As I read thru s/h successful growing experiences of other paph growers, I am just sad I cannot do the same. So far the only other orchid that I have that has responded well to s/h is my Antelope dendrobium.

[NYCorchidman]

I'm sorry to see that. If it grew some new leaves when you moved it back to bark, apparently that's what it liked. With the coooler weather coming in and the plant being kept too wet (not sure if you took the picture right after watering or if that's how wet you keep the medium all the time), possibly the rot spread through out the plant.

Try keeping it dry for a while and just mist on the root to keep it from going completely dry.
Also, west window may be a bit too harshy for it. Did you place it in the west window before when it was thriving? then it is probably ok to leave it there.

I grow all of my paphs in traditional mix such as bark, and they all do very well. I don't think switcing around is a good idea if the plant is already doing well in one media. unless you have two of the same plants just in case something bad happens.

I hope it recovers.

[Ray]

I think one should be clear that plants don't "like" or "dislike" any culture technique. What they respond to is the combination of all of the cultural parameters - light, temperature, humidity, air movement, water quality, feeding regimen, probably others I am not thinking of right now.

If a plant is not doing well in S/H culture, more often than not it's a temperature issue, but as your plant started to recover, then crapped out, I think you've got bigger issues than just potting medium.

[WhiteRabbit]

It's possible the new growth got water in it, and during cool damp weather, rotted - I've definitely had that happen. Dang Paphs for starting new growth this time of year!