Paph. questions - I'm a newb

[barkingsquirrell]

I am new to growing Paph's (own 2 NOID's) and had a few questions. Sorry if they are stupid ones, but I haven't been successful finding my answers elsewhere.

*What part of the plant do the new leaves grow from (haven't had them long enough to see new growth)? Is it from the top like a Phal. or from the sides?

*Can Paph's grow basil keikei's regular keikei's ?

Thank you!

[slipperfreak]

Paphs are sympodial (Phals are monopodial) - so unlike Phals they produce multiple growths, or fans of leaves. These new growths emerge from the rhizome, which is the underground stem from which roots are also produced. The growths develop slowly over a period of 1-2 years (sometimes more depending on the plant), producing new leaves from the crown. Once the growth is mature it produces an inflorescence from the center. After flowering, the growth will slowly decline, shedding one leaf off after another until it disappears from the plant. In some cases, the plant will hold its old growths for many years before they are shed.

Paphs do not produce keikis.

[slipperfreak]

Just to elaborate a bit on the above:

The new growths emerging from the rhizome can sometimes appear right at the base of the plant, or sometimes a little distance from the base. They can also appear from one of the lower leaf axils on an existing growth.

Some Paphs are also stoloniferous, which means they produce runners. This character is most prominent in subgenus Parvisepalum. The stolons will typically go around the pots several times before finally emerging at the surface. Once they produce roots, stolons can be detached from the mother plant and grown on, similar to keikis.

Also, once a Paph has multiple growths it can be divided by separating the growths, just like with a garden plant.

[barkingsquirrell]

Thank you for your quick response. That answers my questions. Have a wonderful day and a great weekend.

[BikerDoc5968]

Joe has described Paph culture to a "T" but some pics might be helpful also... and everybody here knows how much I love to post pics!!!!!

[dounoharm]

nicely done all....a very consice and well illustrated primer on paphs...lol....

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by BikerDoc5968

Joe has described Paph culture to a "T" but some pics might be helpful also... and everybody here knows how much I love to post pics!!!!!

In your second photo, it looks like the "older" new growth is coming from the opposite side of the oldest growth to where the newest growth is emerging?

[BikerDoc5968]

That is correct, Connie. This paph has multiple new growths at different stages of maturity. Why do you ask?

[nenella]

Nicely put Doc! excellent pictures!

[Hedge]

I am also interested to see the alternate sided new growths - in my extremely limited experience I thought the plants grew slowly across the pot towards one side leaving the older parts behind......