Help with Paph Shirly Amundson
 

My first post here :hello
5 days ago I received my first paphiopedilum orchid -Shirley Amundson. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive in great condition. The leaves were curled and it wasn't seated in the medium, just sitting on top, it actually fell over and I could see a few very short brown hairy roots. To me (i grow phals, dendrobiums, cattleyas) it looked like it was on its way to dying. I gave the roots a quick soak and re-seated it in the medium it arrived in and then put it in the kitchen with the rest of the orchids that are over-wintering inside beneath the under cabinet LED lights they seem to love. This morning i checked on it and its still wobbly.
I'm concerned it won't make it and wanted to ask for any advice. I am going to post 2 pics i took upon its arrival. in the one where the paph is on it side you can see the roots. Can anyone tell me if it looks healthy? are the roots viable? what i can do to help this little plant grow stronger and live? Thanks for your help.

Welcome!

The roots are small but viable. Brown and fuzzy is normal for Paph roots. (They look very different from the roots of Phals, Catts, etc) The mix looks pretty coarse. I'd suggest repotting into fresh medium. These do like to stay damp, but need air, too. Stability is vital to to give the new roots a chance to establish. A couple of wood barbecue skewers, close to the plant, may help you to stabilize the plant.

Welcome! Glance through the Paph. forum here, accessible from the left yellow menu.

It doesn't look too bad. As Roberta mentioned, Paph. roots are different from other orchid roots. They are brown and fuzzy.

Paphs. shouldn't ever dry out. Because of staying moist, the medium breaks down quicker. People who win awards with Paphs. repot every year.

It's probably getting too much light. Paphs. are shade plants.

Finally, orchids grow slowly. Don't keep wiggling it. It might not make more roots for weeks to months.

Thank you for the information. I add a couple stakes and will repot with some fresh medium - will sphagnum moss do? I will also move it to a shadier corner of the kitchen.

Sphagnum moss is fine, as long as you water it appropriately. It tends to stay wet longer than bar, but if it dries out can be a challenge to re-wet.