Paph Waipunga

[BikerDoc5968]

I purchased this Paph (Paph Waipunga [Kerry Anne x Sharden x Seacliff] back in June. It spiked about 10 days ago and just won't open. The greenhouse temperatures run about 67 ~ 72 depending on the sun/clouds during the day and about 62 +/- a couple of degrees at night. In your humble opinion, could these lower temps be responsible for its delay in opening or how slowly its progress or could it just be, "It ain't gonna open!"

[tuvoc]

I don't know for sure, Howard, but I think it could be too cool. Mine grow at about 75 degrees, daytime, during the winter. Or maybe it's just a little shy.

Kim

[PaphMadMan]

That temperature range is definitely not too cool for this type of Paph, but slightly warmer daytime temps might speed it up a bit. I assume you are sure the plant is getting enough water, but if it is too dry it will have a hard time opening a flower fully. You said it is in a greenhouse, so I assume humidity is at least 50%. If not, dry air can be a big problem.

Is this a first bloom seedling? Sometimes young/small plants have a hard time producing that first flower and just don't quite get the job done.

Another possiblity is a poor root system from over-watering or media going bad. This obviously weakens the plant and effectively means it isn't getting enough moisture to support the flower.

Or sometimes, for no obvious reason, maybe some stress while the bud was forming, a flower is just deformed and may not open. Or it could just be slow.

[BikerDoc5968]

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

That temperature range is definitely not too cool for this type of Paph, but slightly warmer daytime temps might speed it up a bit. I assume you are sure the plant is getting enough water, but if it is too dry it will have a hard time opening a flower fully. You said it is in a greenhouse, so I assume humidity is at least 50%. If not, dry air can be a big problem.

Is this a first bloom seedling? Sometimes young/small plants have a hard time producing that first flower and just don't quite get the job done.

Another possiblity is a poor root system from over-watering or media going bad. This obviously weakens the plant and effectively means it isn't getting enough moisture to support the flower.

Or sometimes, for no obvious reason, maybe some stress while the bud was forming, a flower is just deformed and may not open. Or it could just be slow.

Thanks for a great response. I can't speak to its age, since I'm sure it is a division. I try hard to keep the humidity at least 50% but some days it will drop for a period of time to 40%, but is usually 60% ~ 70%. I did consider the possibility of poor roots but the leaves are quite firm and the media (bark/sponge rock) doesn't appear to be bad. So for now I've moved it into my home where the temps are warmer... Thanks

[jim blanford]

Howard I think PaphMadMan had alot of good reasons for your bloom not opening, I can't add anything else.
Good luck, keep us posted..... Jim.