Fairy hybrids

[NYCorchidman]

To me, that looks like a natural aging.
Usually old leaves will turn yellowish and dry up dark brown from the tip down toward the base.

[Tindomul]

Both are beautiful, but the dark one, wow!

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

To me, that looks like a natural aging.
Usually old leaves will turn yellowish and dry up dark brown from the tip down toward the base.

Hurray!, I did move it to lava rock a few months ago. But I did not think that it would cause this type of thing. I felt that it would make it happier.

Also where did you get your darkest one?

[NYCorchidman]

Well, paph potted in lava rock in Texas??
You want to water it good because you know how lava rock is, and paphs do not do well when too dry.

Quite a few of my paphs and almost all dendrobiums that are from Hawaii are potted in black lava rocks.
Well, let me correct, paphs from Hawaii are in lava rocks and some moss chunks mixed in.
Dendrobiums just straight lava rock.
It is common potting material they can find, excellent draining, but does not hold much water, which are all the qualities that suit well to their climate.

The dark one was shipped in from Hawaii.

[kindrag23]

I water every 2 days (every day in summer w water hose) and mist heavily in the morning. But the roots seem to be happier now.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, then, no problem!
You really have to keep up with watering when using such free draining dry mix.

[theroc1217]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

You can try to preserve the flower in sand.

Put a thin bed of sand in the bottom of a small container, lay the flower on it, then add sand gently all around and inside the lip of the flower until it is entirely covered.

After a couple of weeks (maybe more, maybe less), lightly brush away the sand until you uncover the flower. Gently remove it from its sandbox. It should maintain its shape this way, or at least better than if it were just left to dry lying flat.

This is a good way to do it. If you're concerned about moisture, I use salt and baking soda/borax to do the same thing. It works really well, and preserves a good amount of color.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you!
What is borax? premix of salt and baking soda?
If I were to mix salt and baking soda, what would the ratio be??

[kindrag23]

Borax is an ingredient in bug killer like old school bug kiler.

[ron-in-norcal]

Borax is an element that is mined out here in California, you may be too young to remember the advertisements for the 24-mule team cleaner. I've driven by the place where it's mined, but haven't stopped. Interesting looking mountains in that area.