My paph roots are rotting. Please help!!

[Cewal]

My paphs have been doing fine in s/h for about 2 months now, but I just noticed the roots and the base of the plant is starting to rot. Can someone tell me what to do.

I don't know how to post a picture from my cell phone.

[Zoi2]

Did you have new root growth before you transplanted to S/H?
Joann

[Cewal]

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Did you have new root growth before you transplanted to S/H?
Joann

No. I ordered them online, so thought I should transplant them right away. Maybe I should have put them in regular medium, but I thought it would be a good time to start them in s/h. I guess that was a bad idea.

[Zoi2]

The paphs were probably grown in moss or bark so the roots were taylored to that media. When you repotted in s/h it was kind of a "culture" shock. Old roots usually die when going from bark to s/h and it's the new growth roots that grow in the leca.

You will probably need to take the plants out of s/h to grow some new roots before repotting. I use water culture for my "rootless wonders" but there are several other methods to grow roots.
Joann

[Cewal]

Joann, Thanks for your help. Can you explain what water culture is?

[Bolero]

Well, all paphs are different. What is the plant? You can't assume all Paphs grow the same as I can assure you they don't.

What was going wrong with your old culture that you felt the need to change to S/H?

[Ray]

You will probably need to take the plants out of s/h to grow some new roots before repotting.

In my opinion, "jerking the plant around" and exposing it to yet another set of conditions, when you want to grow it in a particular culture method, is a waste of time and stressful to the plant.

Instead, I would highly recommend following the recommendation Ross put forth and put the plants on a seedling heat mat. By boosting the temperature of the root zone, you increase the plant's metabolism, and it will start growing new roots quite quickly.

I am surprised that your paph is responding that way, as I find that they take to S/H culture like "falling off a log". I can only speculate that your temperatures might be a bit on the cool side.

[Cewal]

I think I'll keep them in s/h and put them on my heat mat. My house is always around 60-65 in the winter.

Should I use Physon 20 or peroxide on the base of the plant where it's turning brown?

[Ray]

If your house is in the 60-65° range, then with the evaporative cooling taking place in the pot, the roots could be 5°-10° cooler. Definitely go with the heating mat.

I would not bother with the Physan.

[Cewal]

Thanks, everyone, for your help.