Baby Paphs

[DebsC]

I have several baby paphs that looked very nice, growing well ect ect. One baby didn't look like it was doing as good so I unpotted it and took a look at the roots. The roots didn't look too hot and the medium was soggy.

So I took it upon myself to repot all paphs or at least knock them out and check roots. It's a good thing! Some were in good shape, others were not so good.

My question is, on the baby paphs, would it be best to pot them up in spagham moss or small bark? They have tiny roots.

Remember, I'm primarily a cattleya person but I do like paphs too and would like to succeed with these babies.

Any suggestions?

[Phantasm]

The best option is to use a standard paph mix with fine orchid bark. My experience with spagnum is poor for paphs....

[DebsC]

Thanks very much. I have a couple of sanderianums in moss and they've done well but I'm not sure all would. Since I do have paph mix and fine bark, I think maybe that's the way to go.

Thanks again for your opinion!!

[Gin]

Well not to disagree but I have Paphs. in Spag . moss one has 4 blooms and the others are growing well , others in bud . I use Spag. for all my seedling including Catt. babies . Just what I do, not saying it is the best way . Gin

[DebsC]

Thanks Gin. That's what I wanted..opinions. We all know one way works great for some people and proves disasterous for others. Kind of the way politics work.

When paphs are real little I've been putting them in spag simply because I can tell when to water the little fellers. For me, it isn't as easy to tell when they are in a bark mixture.

Any other opinions

[Lagoon]

I like sphag alot too, but for my phrags.
I use peatmoss, smallish bark and coarse rok #2. Equal it all out. Stays moist, free draining, last a long time without repotting.
Works for me

[orchids3]

Paphs grow well for me in CHC. I think it depends on your watering practices what you have success with. I deffinately dont like moss but then maybe its because of the way I grow not the medium.

[DebsC]

I did put them in spag moss. I'm not a heavy waterer and I do have some experience with it. These are small babies that need the constant moisture. I'll repot them again in about six months and will probably move them to a bark mixture then.

Thank you all for your opinions!! It's nice to hear different ways of doing the same thing.

[Katt]

So many opinions. I will not use spag. moss. Period.
To many horror stories BUT some love it and it works.
Look at your situation then decide. You can use both. I only use a phap mix for my babies. I just bought some at the WOC and re-planted around 20 in regular phaph mix.

Waiting on good growth and I'm not going to worry about rotting my babies. Works for me.

[DebsC]

Thanks Katt, I've heard the horror stories too but have had success for the most part with the spag.

Hey, I'm glad you got to go to the WOC! What an experience....I missed!