Dead Paph Walking???

[LilysDad]

I have a NOID Paph. that was acquired from Lowe's at discount. It suddenly dropped all it's leaves. I kept it for awhile but it didn't revive. The stem was even dead. When I unpotted it, the roots were still green and healthy. Will this regrow or slowly die?

[Ross]

Welcome to the board!

I've never seen green roots on a Paph before. Mine are all light brown and hairy. So I suspect they are not as healthy as you perceive them to be. I'm sure one of the Paph specialists will be able to provide a better answer. I only have 6 Paphs myself.

[LilysDad]

The older ones are tan. New growth is silvery green. Green inside.

[Ranchnanny]

Lilysdad I would take it back to Lowe's and get your money back or exchange it. I keep my reciepts from Lowe's and Home Depot as they guarantee their plants. It their policy might has well take advantage of it. Since most of the orchids they sell are on the way out when we purchase them.

Sheridan

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by LilysDad

I have a NOID Paph. that was acquired from Lowe's at discount. It suddenly dropped all it's leaves. I kept it for awhile but it didn't revive. The stem was even dead. When I unpotted it, the roots were still green and healthy. Will this regrow or slowly die?

If all of the leaves have fallen, there is a VERY small chance that the plant will form a new growth. It's happened to me before, but the growths are slower at maturing than a seedling! I've never seen green Paph. roots before, they are usually a creamy white when active or brown when hardened.

The only Paph. I know of that can be grown and bloom that season with JUST roots and a crown is Paph. bellatulum...

Anyways, any idea as to how the leaves fell off? Were there any bugs, mealy bugs, unusual coloration on the leaves, orange spotting, black areas? Any unusual odors?

-Pat

[LilysDad]

they are usually a creamy white when active or brown when hardened.

I know what you mean. I think we're saying the same thing. Silvery green or creamy.



Anyways, any idea as to how the leaves fell off? Were there any bugs, mealy bugs, unusual coloration on the leaves, orange spotting, black areas? Any unusual odors?

Nope! Nope! Nope! Nope and nope! The leaves acted the same way they do when loosing one. Turning a tanish yellow that darkens and develops dark brown areas and then drops.

When I get a discount $3 orchid, I'm not going to complain when it doesn't make it. I just wonder if a paph. can be started from the roots.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by LilysDad

I just wonder if a paph. can be started from the roots.

Nope, it can't. If the leafless crown is gone or softened or mangled, it won't produce any new growth. Paph. roots, even the slightly tuberous ones of Paph. bellatulum and Paph. godefroyae (and var. leuchochilum), will not germinate new growth by themselves like tubers of other terrestrial orchids, like Spiranthes or Sacoila...

-PM