Rust or old age for this Paph

[Matorchid]

Hello everyone again,
This time I am inquiring about Paph. I got from trader joes( with a tag even). Well it's been 4 weeks and last week one of blooms(I say one because there was a second when I got it, thought these only made one) more on that later.
One of blooms these 3 rust color dots on dorsal sepal everything seem to be fine but since last wee that flower has now turned brown and is goner, you see in pick. Ok was thinking it was time to drop. Yesterday how ever on second flower a sm patch of front dorsal sepal had same color to it as the dots, well today I have examined it again and that patch is a little bigger.
I haven't watered it or sprayed it or anything in past few days. He is not repotted and showing no signs of growth, I was waiting for a new leaf or something. I also noticed a bottom leaf turned yellow with all the markings almost gone. I again thought that this is just the end of its cycle. The rust color blotches and spots is really what me worried.
Plz give some feed back, I always thought these were very difficult to grow and that is why I stayed away from them, but this board is sayings it's beginner plant and I would be very interested in growing these in my collection as well.
Plz feel free to chime in

[WhiteRabbit]

I'm so not a Paph expert ... could be normal die off from age. The plant should be set lower to the media, tho I don't think that's causing these issues. Looks like it's potted in sphag? Old sphag could be an issue ...

Hopefully those with better Paph knowledge than I will chime in!

[Fairorchids]

It is normal for the first flower to fade, while the second flower is still fresh. I normally expect Maudiae types to last 6-8 weeks, depending upon temperatures & humidity. However, the first flower could have been open for a while at TJs. Also, multiple transports (nursery to TJ warehouse, to TJ store, to your place) is not doing the flower any favors.

On a different note, plant is way too high in the pot. Root crown should be 1/4" below the media surface. If you are careful (not to break the spike), you can repot it while in bloom. It does not hurt the flower.

[vjo]

I too think it is potted in spag, have never seen that before. There must be a reason more growers dont use it, I hope someone else chimes in on this....Jean

[Fairorchids]

Just looked at photo again. This is a typical single growth first bloom seedling. It will probably take a short rest, and then start a new fan.

I can't tell whether it is growing in spaghnum, or in bark mix with regular moss growing on top.

The latter is common, but an indication that it has been in the pot for a while and probably is due for a repot (as if we didn't know that by seeing how high it is sitting in the mix).

If it is in pure spaghnum, it is an indication that it is a recent import (they can come in with spaghnum around roots, but no other material). You can grow them that way, but it requires careful (less frequent) watering.

I use spaghnum/bark mix for all Paphs in pots smaller than 4" size, but bark/charcoal/perlite mix for 4" & up. that allows me to water all on same schedule.

Remember, this type of Paph should never be allowed to go dry. It needs rewatering while still slightly moist.

[Matorchid]

Good evening all,
I want to say thank you for your replys White Rabbit, Vjo, and Fairorchids.
I purchased this guy on Aug. 28, and to my amazement it was notma noid, he goes by (Paph. Supersuk 'Eureka' AM/AOS x Paph. Raisin Pie 'Hsinying') x Sib. I must say was so pleased about it having a tag, I promptly went to store manager, and shook his hand. I have bout a few Orchids from there and this was the only one that had a tag.
Now with that being said, other than being potted to high in medium and yeah that it was in sphag with green moss over those roots. So ypu guys dont think anything of the discoloration thats on the Dorsal sepal and on the the leaf edges?Thats were it was on the first flower, except 3 dot in succession.
Thank you for a heads up on the media that it should go in. I will mix that up right now. So I shouldnt cut spike? I might get another growth on it? What do I do about the browned flower? Should he be getting a bloom boost to help in flowering one more time or is it to late? One last question, any major cultural notes that I should be aware of?
Sorry guys didnt mean to ramble, thank you again for info and advice, my hats off to all of you

[WhiteRabbit]

I pot Paphs in fine bark mix.
Hard to say if the issues are something to be concerned about. I believe Paphs can be intolerant of old media, and sphag does breakdown quickly, so it's possible that could be a contributing factor. And / or the moss just staying too wet ...

[RJSquirrel]

you got to be real good to grow paphs in sphag bec in sphag they have to dry out before watering again they cant stay wet all time. Bark when it moist isnt wet. Sphag stays wet much too long for indoors grown paphs.

[NYCorchidman]

The browning leaf and the flowers are just naturally dying. Nothing to worry about.

This cross is registered as Hsinying Alien.
I have bought so many in the past years and gave them away but kept a few interesting ones.
These come out either coloratum like yours, or vini.
One of mine just opened, two others in spike, and two busing growing leaves.
love them all!

All mine came in super tiny plastic pot with moss like yours did.
I repotted them all in bark or chc mix.
I did keep paphs in moss for over a year with great results. Just like anything, you want to just moisten the moss rather than getting it completely wet. then moisten it again when the moss dries.
but for easy watering and care, I recommend repotting into bark or chc.
Roots seem to grow better in those mix as well.

Good luck!