Seeking some ideas

[NYCorchidman]

This is paphiopedilum Lynleigh Koopowitz in 3.5 inch pot.
I should have repotted a while ago, but didn't.

Now it is a mess and I am not quite sure what the best way to go is.

The first picture shows the oldest fan which is rather tall for some reason. On the opposite side, it grew two new fans that bloomed earlier this year. The problem is these two new fans grew out from about midway up from the oldest fan's "trunk". They do not have their own roots although they tried but then aborted. They also have their own new pubs starting.
If this was all the story, I could just bury the "trunk" up to where these two newer fans are located and encourage the roots to grow out.

The issue is that the lower portion of this "trunk" is also sprouting at least two new growths. so burying them will mean the end of them. rot to death in the potting mix.

I thought about many laying them slightly on its side so that I can hopefully get all the newly emerging shoots or cut off the top and do the bag method, which I really rather not, or just sacrifice the tiny growths at the lower portion of the trunk and just bury the trunk up to where the two largest fans are located.

Have you have this kind of situation?
What would you do?

I wish I had a climate controlled growing area where high humidity can be maintained. Then leaving the plant as is won't be an issue.
Oh, well...

[katrina]

What about tucking some sphag just in the high areas but not where the newest growths are emerging? This would give the newer roots something moist to grow down into on their way down into the pot. Rather than being exposed to nothing but dry air.

I've never tried this w/paphs but it's worked for me w/other "climbers".

[billc]

I would echo what Katrina suggested. If not spag maybe some sheet moss or sidewalk moss. I wouldn't mind having problems like that, too many starts growing.

Bill

[Fairorchids]

Repot it. Pot it based on the two larger growrhs, and ignore the two lower starts. The lower starts may punch through to the surface, or they might not. If you do anything else, you will be 'off' in all respects.

The reason the two growths halfway up have not rooted, is that the plant was not repotted back when they first started.

This is where Paphs are so contrary. You can repot at any time, irrespective of buds, flowers or seasons, without any consequences. However, if you don't do it when it should be done, you end up with a plant that should be potted at 2 or 3 different depths. Now you have to select one, and live with the consequences.

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you all for the ideas.

[Paphluvr]

Some of my Magic Lantern's tend to do this from time to time. I would repot using the old growth as your depth guide. The new growths low down on the stem may surprise you.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by Paphluvr

Some of my Magic Lantern's tend to do this from time to time. I would repot using the old growth as your depth guide. The new growths low down on the stem may surprise you.

That would be nice!

I hate it when paphs "stand up" like this.
Luckily, this is not common. I've had about three maudiae type paphs do this standing up thing. None of the complex hybrids do this for me. Thank goodness! haha
and this is the first parvi that does this. Hopefully the last, but with so many plants, I never know.

I fell in love with Magic Lanter, so now I have a whole bunch of seedlings.

[Paphluvr]

Magic Lantern seems to be a very consistent cross. I don't think I've ever seen a bad one, just some better than others. With a bunch of seedlings you should wind a with a couple that are exceptional.