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Need some advice on my paphiopedilums, (slipper orchids.) I’m very… | The Orchid Oasis 🇺🇸 | Planta-community

Jen

Need some advice on my paphiopedilums, (slipper orchids.) I’m very aware that this is a terrestrial orchid, and as such, the roots need to be below the medium. I have a couple plants that grew new fans much taller than the old growth, and are trying to put out roots an inch or two above the medium level. They just dry out and then poor guy tries to grow another root higher up. I can’t separate it from the old fan and replant lower in the pot, because right now, the old roots are the only thing providing it with moisture. Am I destined to lose these guys?! 😭 Any advice?

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5 kommentarer

  1. Jen

    Full plant for perspective.

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  2. Danika

    I wonder if giving it a moss pole or something to climb on like a board might allow it to do its root thing? Kinda like how aroids grow roots all up its new growth.

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  3. MeasomerPi

    My understanding is that with paphs, the roots won’t develop/survive outside of soil. Spring bording off of Danika’s suggestion, you might consider wrapping the areas with sphagnum, kinda like air layering? Once they, developed enough roots, you might be able to separate and pot up. My concern is that could cause rot with all that dampness. If you do the air layering, I would check regularly to make sure nothing is amiss. Big ol grain of salt as I am better with the epiphytes.

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    • Jen

      Great minds think alike! I actually tried this with one, made a little cup of sphagnum moss around the new root but the moisture caused some rot and bacterial issues on that part of the stem. And honestly the root only made it about 1 cm before it dried out anyway. It’s a very frustrating issue- I may stick to epiphytes after this. Sigh.

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    • MeasomerPi

      Cattleyas FTW!!!

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