How big does a paph get?

[Tim P.]

I have had a mottled leaf paph (maudiae veni type) that has grown a little bit since I got it about two years ago... BUT the leafspan is still a whopping

4 inches

. I am wondering what im doing wrong here because I would at least like to see it grow let alone bloom. I really like it for what it is, i bought it as a baby, but some activity would be appreciated. it is in a 2 inch pot.

[silken]

I'm not sure how big the maudiae type get. I have a NOID that has about a 6 inch span. I read that Paphs like to be re-potted in fresh media more so than some orchids and I think mine do better when re-potted before the media breaks down. Also I read that using some Cal, Mag. fertilizer with your regular one might be good for them. I have started using it and I almost think they are growing better, but then it is almost summer which might be why too. They shouldn't be allowed to dry out completely.

[jeremyinsf]

Is this 4" leafspan on a 'new' fan, meaning there has never been a spike/bloom out of it? Old fans generally don't grow much, and don't put out a new/second spike. You would need a new growth to do that.

Do you have a picture of the plant you can post?

I agree with the last post that Paph's like to be repotted regularly, and also like to be fertilized 'weakly, weekly'.

[The Mutant]

How many growths does it have? If only one, how many leaves on this one growth?

When you write "leafspan" does this mean that each leaf is 2" long? I just want to make certain that what I say when I'm talking about leafspan, is the same as you English speaking guys mean, language barriers and all that.

What's a Maudiae veni type? Is it vinicolor?

I have a Maudiae and a Maudiae type (where Maudiae is most probably part of the parentage), and the Maudiae has a leafspan of ca 12 cm (about 5"), while the other one has a leafspan of 31 cm (about 12"), so it depends on what sort of cross it is. I also have a third Paph, which is probably considered a Maudiae type, Paph. Claire de Lune, which has a leafspan of 26 cm (10" 1/4"). So, as I said, it all depends on their parentage.

The Maudiae (which is a primary hybrid, but you probably knew that already ), has one old growth and one new, the NoID (Maudiae type) has four, two old and two new ones, and the Claire de Lune is a single growth Paph that has yet to bloom.

And by "repotting regularly" I would like to add; only once a year, no more often than that, because, as I have learned the hard way, they really don't like being disturbed too much (at least mine don't).

[Tim P.]

Yes, venicolor. The plant has never bloomed and has no side shoots. it technically was a seedling when i got it, or to be more correct a grouping of 5 seedlings. I have left them together. yes... by leafspan i mean each leaf is about 2.5 inches. I have also noticed as of late that there are some leaves on the bottom of some of the plants dying and also the top ones are not continually getting bigger, but are somewhat smaller... this is my first paph and have had it for around 2 years. Wish it was a little more exiting :/. Im tempted to throw it in S/H to give it better air and even watering.

[silken]

I think it might be happy to be re-potted. I usually do them after approx. 1 year whereas I leave some orchids such as Cattleyas in large bark for 2 years. Because these are in finer media and constantly damp, the media becomes stale quicker.

[SlipperGirl]

I agree with silken I think you should repot it

What do you have it potted in right now?

[jeremyinsf]

Yes to re-potting! The bottom leafs will die off naturally on paphs so that might not be anything to worry about.

Are you ever fertilizing it and how much light do they get? I recently moved many of my paph's under lights and the explosion of growth is jaw-dropping to me. While they are low(er) light plants in general -they are still plants, and work off photosynthesis. As long as they aren't burning, I find they can take and enjoy more light than I originally thought. Perhaps give that a shot. But if you do the re-pot, then keep them out of light right after you do that.

[CTB]

Your plant looks very healthy, I think it was just so small when you got it, it just now has grown into its pot size. It could bloom that small size too, since its 2 yrs old.
Different types of paphs have different length leaves. I have a couple that the leaves are 12 inches long. (1 leaf)
If you repot use the same pot or just a bit larger they like it kind of close. Also I like to keep my leaves off the media.

[Tim P.]

I just repotted it around 6 months ago... I may throw it into S/H and hope for the best

---------- Post added at 11:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:55 AM ----------

To answer some of the questions, it is in a south facing window with a filter, it is planted in fine bark, I fertilize quite often, just flushed it this week.