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Got my first paph (Midori world dark green x Hilo sweet bean) at an… | The Orchid Oasis | Comunidad de Planta

Amy

Got my first paph (Midori world dark green x Hilo sweet bean) at an orchid show a month ago and the flower spike is growing tall, but it’s not straight. It was straight when the spike was shorter. Is it normal to not be straight? Does it need to be staked? Should I repot it into a slotted orchid pot after the bloom is done? Or is a nursery pot with 4 drainage holes ok? I read these types of orchids are terrestrial. Do their roots prefer less air exposure? I bought paph orchid bark from repotme.com and various plastic pots, but I’m not sure what type of pot to use. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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13 comentarios

  1. Jen

    Oooh, this is going to be a beauty. Yes, it’s ’normal’ for a flower spike to be a little twisty. It will most likely not go straight unless you stake it as it’s growing. Yes, it’s terrestrial, but yes, it can also benefit from ventilated pots, as there is still a risk of root rot, but don’t go overboard, they are definitely different than epiphytic orchid roots and prefer far less air. It will really depend on your environment. If it tends to be dry, or if you tend to be a little forgetful about watering, then you’re probably fine with a pot without big slits. I really like the paph media from repotme. Tiny tiny pieces of bark. You sound as though you’ve done your research, so with some good luck it should make the transition just fine. I’ve only had one paph that just sort of melted away for me. The rest are growing fairly strong, if excruciatingly slowly. 😆

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    • Jen

      Please be sure to post when it blooms!

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    • Amy

      Thank you Jen! Is it true if their roots get exposed on top of the pot the roots die? Is that from drying out or from contacting too much air? I would love to hear more about your growing conditions for your paphs. Still trying to figure out how to create that here.

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    • Jen

      Yes, roots that grow at the top of the media will dry out extremely quickly and just stop growing. The challenge is to pot it low enough to encourage new roots to grow into the media, but not so low that you risk rotting the stem of the fan.

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  2. Laura B

    I just bought my first paph recently so I’m still learning. Mine also has a curvy spike so I think it’s normal when it’s closer to blooming. I can’t wait to see this bloom, she’s stunning already.

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    • Jen

      PS, You guys may notice that you need to stake those flower spikes if the blooms get really heavy. I’ve seen paphs snap their flower spikes under the weight of their blooms. It would be so sad to wait this long to see the flower and then to lose it. 😬

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    • Laura B

      I can definitely see how it may snap! Mine has a short spike but the flower is huge. It’s supported with a short stake. There appears to be a second set of leaves at the base of the plant so hopefully that will keep growing and we’ll get to see the whole life cycle.

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    • Jen

      That’s exactly right, that new fan will be the one that matures and grows a new spike. If you notice new roots starting to grow from that baby fan, really try to keep them covered with media, because eventually they are the ones that will support the plant.

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    • Amy

      😮 I had idea that could happen! Thank you so much for the tip. That would be very sad if the flower broke off 😭

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    • Amy

      I staked my paph with a bamboo stake that I bought from the big box hardware store. I was a little nervous putting the stake in. I didn’t want to stab a root.

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  3. Amy

    Thank you all for your help. Will def post a pic of the flower! Can too strong of a light hurt the orchid or make it grow weird. My paph is under a plant light with an Oncidium ‘Twinkle’ but a little more farther from the light, no direct sunlight. I don’t have a phalenopsis and I read they have similar light needs.

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    • Jen

      I don’t have a ton of experience with grow lights, so I’m hesitant to advise you too strongly one way or another- but I CAN say confidently that oncidiums tend to like a little more light than phals and terrestrials. I don’t think, as long as the leaves aren’t getting hot to the touch, that a little stronger light will hurt it. Cattleya and Vanda orchids need much more light, and I’d be more cautious about those- but I think you’d be safe with oncidium light.

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  4. Amy

    Update on my first paph. The flower has finally bloomed. The top petal isn’t upright as pictures online but I still think it’s pretty.

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