Recently repotted Paph dropping leaves

[VMStearns]

I recently (December 2013) purchased a Paphiopedilum Ho Chi Minh from a small orchidist. It was sitting in an empty pot and the owner repotted it while I was there.

Since bringing it home, it has lived just above a moisture tray, behind other, larger orchids to limit the light from the East window.

At the recommendation of the orchidist, I submerged the pot in tepid water to wet the bark medium. However, it appears that in order to keep the medium evenily moist I would have to water daily...something I assume I shouldn't do. I've been watering about twice a week.

Currently the two clumps in the pot have lost the three oldest leaves (1 and 2 leaves each respectively).

Am I doing something wrong??? I've attached photos that may (or may not) help.

Thanks!

[MrHappyRotter]

The leaf loss doesn't sound too terribly alarming, and the plant looks fairly healthy (the big growth looks awesome, the other doesn't look quite as good).

The leaves probably dropped from a combination of factors. First of all, the plant was repotted. It takes time to recover from that, particularly in a bark mix. Second, because it is a bark mix, the plant may have actually dried out a bit too much initially. Fresh bark doesn't hold water very well at first, it takes some time before it really retains good moisture levels. Third, the plant had to adapt to new growing conditions, which can sometimes be a git of a shock. Additionally, if your plant responded well to repotting and began to grow new roots or produce a pup (I can't tell from the photos), then that might also explain some of the leaf drop. Often times new roots or growths will develop at the base of the plant and actually dislodge the lower leaves, causing them to turn yellow and drop off.

The good news is, depending on your growing conditions, twice a week watering is probably appropriate, so I wouldn't change that. Also, one of the parents in this hybrid is delenatii, which tends to produce vigorous and easy to care for progeny, so you've got that going for you, as well.

The only thing I'm seeing an issue with is the way the plant is currently potted. For one thing, it looks like both growths are hugging the side of the pot. It's better to try and position growths near the center of the pot, so that no matter which direction the pups develop, they'll have room to grow. Second, both of the growths look like they are sitting too high out of the mix. When they were first potted, they may have been fine, but now that they've lost some leaves, they are sitting up above the mix which could impede root growth.

I don't recommend repotting the plant, but you may want to consider top dressing with a bit of additional bark or moss. That'll give any new roots that develop immediate access to the mix and help protect them from drying out.

[VMStearns]

MrHappyRotter,

Thanks for the info and reassurance. I'll dress the top with some dampened moss and see of that helps.

I don't think I did the plant any good, but because the Paph didn't look too good after 2 weeks, last week I pulled it up, checked for root growth (none) and repotted it after soaking the roots for 30 minutes in tepid water. I repotted it in a specialized Orchid Mix (Black Gold) that is processed softwood bark, peat moss, perlite, pumice or ciders, and dolomite lime that had been soaking for 48-hours.

The pot is still is very dry, but I am only watering twice a week (misting daily).

I'll keep my fingers crossed and post an updated image in a few weeks.

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[jeremyinsf]

Greetings, from an Everett native.

Parvi Paph's like you have are very slow growers, in general. Suggest now that you have it in a new mix, that you do NOT pull it again to check for root growth. Leave it and let it establish, for quite some time. In fact, while many Paph's don't mind being repotted in general, it's not a good idea to pull them up regularly just to check for roots. If you want to see progress, it's better to use clear pots.

[VMStearns]

Jeremyinsf and MrHappyRotter,

My profuse thanks to you both. I p-r-o-m-i-s-e to not repot my new Paph; I will be patient, trust and keep misting daily while I check the moisture of the bark mix.

Thanks again!

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[Fairorchids]

In my opinion it is more important to get the plant potted to the correct depth, than avoiding repotting it again. This plant is way too high in the pot; the root crown should be 1/4" below the surface of the mix.

Top dressing with moss over bark is not ideal. Based on watering twice a week, bark mix is fine, but you should repot to get it potted correctly.

With Paphs this can be a problem. If plant has roots going to the bottom of the old pot, once you add drain materials to the new pot, you can't get the plant deep enough. This leaves you with two choices:

1. Search out extra deep pots.
Larger pots are not the answer, as Paphs do not like being 'over-potted'.

2. Change to a moss/bark mix (= watering once a week).
With this mix, after you wet the roots to make them pliable, you can bend roots around a ball of mix to fit into almost any pot size. When you pack material tightly, roots will stay in place and plant won't crawl out of the mix.

For Paphs, I use moss mix up to 3" pot size, and granular mix in 4" & up. For Catts, I use granular mix in 3" & up.

[VMStearns]

I appreciate the recommendation. I do have some sphagnam moss that I can chop up and add to the existing well soaked orchid mix I have on hand. It is the "all the other states" Black Magic Orchid mix that is 50-60% processed softwood bark chips with an unknown mix of sphagnam moss, (perlite, pumice, or cinders), and dolomite lime.

I also have two potential pots. I've included a picture that I hope is helpful. One is a bit taller than the current square plastic, the other is a heavy plastic pot that I can drill drain holes into the bottom. If neither of these are suitable, I can shop around to see what I can find.

[Fairorchids]

I would stay w orig pot if you can get the plant deep enough. If not, go w the terracotta colored pot - the brown pot is way too big.

[VMStearns]

I'm assuming a few days delay will not be a huge problem. I've ordered cymbidium pots in two sizes (small and medium) and will plan to repot as soon as they arrive.