Water related stress symptoms

[rbarata]

Hello, my friends

I'm new to Paphs and am still trying to understand if my new paph (one week in my hands) is happy or not.
I would like to know what should I look for related with watering problems.

Thank you

[Fairorchids]

With the exception of Brachypetalums (niveum, belletulum, concolor, etc., & their hybrids), do NOT let Paphs go dry. They need water while still moist.

You can see it on the leaves, when a plant is getting insufficient water. It is difficult to describe though. I received a couple of desiccated plants last year, I will check them tomorrow, and if they still illustrate the problem, I will take a couple of photos.

[rbarata]

I received a couple of desiccated plants last year, I will check them tomorrow, and if they still illustrate the problem, I will take a couple of photos.

Many thanks, Kim. That would be great!

[Fairorchids]

Here are two photos showing the difference between the leaves on a healthy plant, vs one that is desiccated (whether it be from under watering, or lack of roots).

First photo shows a healthy leaf above a desiccated leaf. Note how the latter is curling the sides.

Second photo shows underside of desiccated leaf. Notice the 'lines' running lengthwise. A well watered plant with healthy roots will have a smooth underside.

[Fairorchids]

Duplicate post.

[rbarata]

Kim, thank you so much. This is a tremendous help...a picture worths a thousand words.

And if one is overwatered? What would I see? Yellow and slopped?

[dbarron]

Thanks Kim, since I'm only a month or so with my first paphs, this is helpful to me too.

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Kim, thank you so much. This is a tremendous help...a picture worths a thousand words.

And if one is overwatered? What would I see? Yellow and slopped?

It is difficult to overwater Paphs (and close to impossible for Phrags). If you do overwater a Paph (= killing the roots), you will end up with desiccated leaves again.

[rbarata]

I see...basically the symptoms are the same...no water entering "the system" because a lack of it or because the roots are dead and are not absorbing it.

Many thanks

[Dendy83]

Thank you for this. My paphs have just been sitting there for years. They'll put out a new fan, then nothing. I understand they tend to do that, but I think them being in bark has something to do with it. I think I will transfer them to moss (I understand the risks but I live in Colorado so it gets dry very quickly) so that there is more moisture available to them.