Hello

[ewbie]

Hello from the Philippines! I have been with this hobby for a year and a half. So far I lost 5 native paphios and 2 paphios that I got from Taiwan. Actually, I lost a phal today and I have an ailing pahio. I joined this group hoping to learn more about how to take care of them. But I think it's my stubborness(?) that killed them. Stubborness is overwatering.

[cb977]

Hi ewbie and to OrchidBoard!
You've come to the right place!

We have lots of people here willing to share their knowledge and experiences in the wonderful world of orchids

Overwatering is a problem lots of people have...asking questions here and getting the answers you seek will help you to overcome that.

We look forward to hearing more from you and we'd love to see some pictures

[justatypn]

Aboard ewbie...its great to have you join our community, a wealth of information awaits.

One great rule of thumb to remember when watering is if you feel the need to water wait a day. I as well overwatered when I first started my addiction and learning a whole new way of growing, a far cry from our "norm" houseplants and landscape gardening.

PLease share your s and especially the ailing ones and we can work together on anything that ails your chids...

[Tindomul]

Hey, welcome to the Board.
Were you letting water concentrate on the crown? If so, it could be the reason why your Paphs and Phals are dying. How much air movement have you got on those plants? Being from the Philipenes I suppose the plants take a long time dry out after watering?

[Anglo]

The bright side is that the more orchids you lose, the more you learn about them.

I learned a lot about the needs of Zygopetalums, for example, in the process of losing them.

[ewbie]

haha Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I'll try to make a new thread for my ailing paphio.

[Phantasm]

Originally Posted by Anglo

The bright side is that the more orchids you lose, the more you learn about them.

I learned a lot about the needs of Zygopetalums, for example, in the process of losing them.

So true! Most orchid growers only learn the hard way, and I've learned a lot over 30 years. Now if I could only have all of those plants back!

The key is to grow plants that appreciate your conditions rather than trying to grow plants that don't have a chance long term. Another key is to repot when the plants need it, don't be lazy

It would be interesting to know what the mortality rate is for most orchids under cultivation.

[Ross]

Welcome! The only orchids I water daily are mounted on sticks or bark/slabs. All the others get water about twice a week.

[ewbie]

Originally Posted by Tindomul1of9

Were you letting water concentrate on the crown? If so, it could be the reason why your Paphs and Phals are dying.

Being from the Philipenes I suppose the plants take a long time dry out after watering?

nope I don't let water sit on the crown.
actually it's too dry here in our country. we only have two seasons, summer and rainy. that is why i have problems with red mites. i don't know how to increase humidity. sori, am too ignorant when it comes to plants needs. I just love orchid flowers that's why am giving it a try.
please help me with my ailing paphio. i posted it in semi-hydro section.

thanks,

[cb977]

Hi ewbie...no such thing as ignorance...it's all a learning experience for every one of us!
You might want to try humidity trays. Keep water in a tray with a grating as a top so that humidity rises and surrounds your 'chids.
If you need help, or have any other questions, feel free to ask...helping each other and learning from each other is the reason this board exists.
Pretty soon, you'll be answering other people's questions

I'm going to leave your paphio post in the S/H section, but will also have it copied to the plant alliance's own area. Maybe somebody more familiar with your particular plant will be able to help. Sorry I can't, I have no experience with that type of 'chid.