Newborn paph care instructions

[PaphLover]

This teeny growth came away from the larger plant when I was checking if mama needed to be repotted. It seems to be doing well on its own in its little bed of moss. It's even growing a new leaf! Been on its lonesome since August.

Any tips for ensuring its growth? Can I fertilize it as I do the other plants? Does it need a weaker solution? What about the spray-on fertilizers?

Thanks!

Paph. Z4440 x charlesworthii

[WhiteRabbit]

[PaphMadMan]

If it has survived since August and is showing growth I'd say it has a very good chance, and you have already been giving it good care.

It doesn't need much fertilizer. If it was mine, I would put just a few drops of my usual water soluble fertilizer on the moss around it every few weeks, not directly on it or next to it, encourage those roots to reach out a bit if they want the nutrients. Even moisture but never soggy, of course. Indirect light. As small as it is and almost nestled down among the moss it should get the humidity it needs. It is smaller than many Paph seedlings directly out of flask, but there's no reason it shouldn't thrive given some time.

[Fairorchids]

Without knowing how many roots were on this little plant, it is hard to give advise. The pot seems considetably oversized - or is that an indication that it had a lot of roots?

For starters, I would give it slightly lower light than the mature plants.
It would probably be well to make sure that it is in high humidity environment.
And finally, do NOT let it dry out. Water whenever it is down to barely moist.

[PaphLover]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

If it has survived since August and is showing growth I'd say it has a very good chance, and you have already been giving it good care.

It doesn't need much fertilizer. If it was mine, I would put just a few drops of my usual water soluble fertilizer on the moss around it every few weeks, not directly on it or next to it, encourage those roots to reach out a bit if they want the nutrients. Even moisture but never soggy, of course. Indirect light. As small as it is and almost nestled down among the moss it should get the humidity it needs. It is smaller than many Paph seedlings directly out of flask, but there's no reason it shouldn't thrive given some time.

Thanks PaphMadMan! Good advice. I'll keep babying the baby.

---------- Post added at 06:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:07 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Fairorchids

Without knowing how many roots were on this little plant, it is hard to give advise. The pot seems considetably oversized - or is that an indication that it had a lot of roots?

For starters, I would give it slightly lower light than the mature plants.
It would probably be well to make sure that it is in high humidity environment.
And finally, do NOT let it dry out. Water whenever it is down to barely moist.

Thanks for your advice Fairorchids. Good info. If I remember correctly, it had one teensy little white baby root (but it was plump and looked healthy). Yes, I agree about the 'pot' (a lid to a Haagen Dazs ice cream container), but I couldn't find anything small enough to house the little guy so opted for a shallow bed instead. If I had a thimble, that'd probably be the perfect size.

The smallest pot I have is 3/8 and even that would leave the little one swimming.

[PaphLover]

Here's a side/ enlarged view...

[PaphMadMan]

A pot that was actually in scale with the plant and root system would be impossible to maintain even moisture. Your solution of a shallow layer of moss will work as well as anything.

[Fairorchids]

I always keep a supply of 2.1/4" 'rose' pots on hand, for use for both seedlings and inadvertent small guys. They are also good for any cuttings I want to make of outdoor shrubs.

[vjo]

To get teeny tiny pots go to a big craft store. Hobby Lobby or Michaels has them ...Jean

[PaphLover]

Originally Posted by vjo

To get teeny tiny pots go to a big craft store. Hobby Lobby or Michaels has them ...Jean

Thanks! That's a great idea. I couldn't find any at the nursery.

---------- Post added at 08:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 AM ----------

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

A pot that was actually in scale with the plant and root system would be impossible to maintain even moisture. Your solution of a shallow layer of moss will work as well as anything.

Thanks PaphMadMan. The little one seems to like it so far and yes, my thinking with the shallow layer was that the root/s wouldn't stay soaked while the top layer of moss dried out. I thought it'd probably be pretty easy to drown/ suffocate the little one.

Since I hadn't thought of finding a pot at a craft store, the lid was my MacGyver-ish solution.