Slow grower or something else?

[Bulbofett]

I've had this paph. For a while now. It completed one leaf and just barely started another one that you can see in the picture. Also has a new fan starting at the base, but this was it for growth for the entire year, almost. I expected more than that I guess. It gets direct morning light and dappled throughout the day. Also gets fert regularly, and maintains humidity of at least 70%. Is this just a slow grower or what?

Paph doctor Jack 'wallula' x paph farrieanum'lula'

[WhiteRabbit]

In my (limited) experience with Paphs- they do seem quite slow ...
Tho yours does sound even slower ...
Hopefully someone more familiar with Paphs (and the various types) can add some insight ...

[digriz]

When was the last time you changed the media?

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by digriz

When was the last time you changed the media?

I changed it last year. I mean, it's not really doing anything should I repot it anyway? Perhaps it's a root issue.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Paphs are in general slow growing. This is why over collecting of these orchids from the wild are a detriment to them. Growth this slow is not unheard of with certain Paphs.

What some people new to growing Paphs sometimes don't realize is that what makes it worse is that some of them have "light dormancies" during the winter.

This is why I generally don't recommend Paphs to newbies.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Paphs are in general slow growing. This is why over collecting of these orchids from the wild are a detriment to them. Growth this slow is not unheard of with certain Paphs.

What some people new to growing Paphs sometimes don't realize is that what makes it worse is that some of them have "light dormancies" during the winter.

This is why I generally don't recommend Paphs to newbies.

Yeah I have 2 other paphs. The others aren't nearly as slow growing as this one though which is what sparked my concern.

[RandomGemini]

I've read in several guides on paphs that you should not be shy about repotting them with fresh medium the minute that the bark starts to look broken down. Basically, if you think the paph might need repotting, then it probably does need to be repotted. I've seen some guides state that paphs should have their medium changed at least annually and that every six months is ideal.

I don't know about the frequency, but the timing for the repotting makes perfect sense to me. Do it when it's warm out, not when it's cool. Paphs are in a growth cycle right now, or should be. So if you think it's close to time to repot, now is the best time to do it, because the warmth outside will help stimulate new root growth before the cool fall weather can set in.

For me, stalled growth seems to happen because I'm not keeping things warm enough.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

I've read in several guides on paphs that you should not be shy about repotting them with fresh medium the minute that the bark starts to look broken down. Basically, if you think the paph might need repotting, then it probably does need to be repotted. I've seen some guides state that paphs should have their medium changed at least annually and that every six months is ideal.

I don't know about the frequency, but the timing for the repotting makes perfect sense to me. Do it when it's warm out, not when it's cool. Paphs are in a growth cycle right now, or should be. So if you think it's close to time to repot, now is the best time to do it, because the warmth outside will help stimulate new root growth before the cool fall weather can set in.

For me, stalled growth seems to happen because I'm not keeping things warm enough.

I don't think warmth is an issue for me. 90% humidity the last week, but it usually stays around 70%. Temps are in the high 80s and early 90F range.

I went ahead and repotted. Good thing too because the medium was extremely broken down. Maybe, I was mistaken on when I repotted this last. It seemed like last year, but maybe it was longer than that and I just didn't care about it. We'll see if this speeds things up at all.

[RandomGemini]

I would bet the broken down medium explains the lack of growth.

How long has it been that warm? If so, that could explain the growth setback too. Paphs are generally cool to warm growers. They can tolerate a few days in the 85 to 90 degree temp range, but if it's been several weeks to a month, growth will stall. You might have a cooler growing variety on your hands. I believe that the mottled leaf paphs tend to like cooler temps.

[Optimist]

Do orchids sulk if they are not given the environment they need? Heck yes! I've had orchids of all types do absolutely nothing until they got what they wanted. The closer to ideal conditions, the better they react. Mine are always testing me.