My phaphs are sluggish

[Ross]

All of mine are in custom Paph mix that includes Oyster Shell for calcium. I try to use clear pots if possible. The seedlings get water every-other-day or so. The larger plants get total soak and drench every 4th-5th day or so, depending on appearance of the mix. I use RO water with MSU fertilizer at 125ppm Nitrogen at every watering. The roots have pretty much filled the pots and I get 2-3 new growths immediately following flower. I have 2 mature plants in flower now and 6 other smaller plants growing new growths and roots. That is how it should be.

[Gin]

I have 2 Paph. Honey both are in bark and receive quit a bit of light . But... have Pulsar Red Top mottled leaf in Spag. it has many growths and blooms like mad .
Can't say Spag. is not good for some ,it goes back to growing conditions . Gin

[Lagoon]

Sphagnum moss seems alot create of of fuss! To me, aslong as you understand how to grow in it, you should have success.
I grow all my paphs in a peatmoss, bark & pertlite mix - it works for me, keeping it all fairly moist with good drainage. I get many new growths per year using this mix aswell as good light duration 12 to 16 hrs per day.

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Originally Posted by Lagoon

Sphagnum moss seems alot create of of fuss! To me, aslong as you understand how to grow in it, you should have success.
I grow all my paphs in a peatmoss, bark & pertlite mix - it works for me, keeping it all fairly moist with good drainage. I get many new growths per year using this mix aswell as good light duration 12 to 16 hrs per day.

I know!! It does make a fuss! I wanted to know about my conditions, ie. enough water, light, fertilizer, temp etc, and people are going on about my moss lol...

well, I do think I may be keeping mine a bit too dry. If I water my oncidium intergenerics and such when they are moist, and they are fine, is the the amount of moisture my paphs should enjoy?

[Lagoon]

heehee! Yep and I don't thing the sphag thing will ever end
I do keep the paph media and a constant hum, some drying of course, don't want it soaking wet - Like anyone you gotta fine the proper moisture balance, its part of learning what your orchids needs are. Its the trial & error thing. You have to try different things if it's not working for you.
Oh and don't forget the commen sence thing - it can really work

We can only make suggestions

[quiltergal]

Keep in mind not all plants like the same things. While all your other plants may be thriving in sphag your Paphs are not. You might need to consider a different medium for Paphs. I think as growers we need to adjust our growing method to fit what the plant needs not try and make the plant fit what's easiest for us do do. I had a hard time wrapping my head around growing Tolus in nothing but charcoal chunks. I made myself try it and it's rewarding me with a new growth. Time to step outside the comfort zone.

[(..._...)]

oooh update:

I checked the roots on my paph that looks like Deperle, and it seems to be growing new roots

I am going to wait and see how my other paph does, and as quiltergal said, if it does not do well, I will change the medium.

[Jorch]

New roots is a good sign.

It is hard to guess how much light your plant actually receives per day, or does it even receive direct sunlight or the south-facing window gets just bright light (indirect light). Given that you said your plants are shaded by oncids and dends, it might be possible that your paphs are not getting enough light?

Also, I am also one of those who cannot grow paphs in sphag.. I think paphs like constant moisture in bark mix rather than the strong wet/dry cycle with sphags. Just my

Do keep in mind that paphs in general are slow growing compared to Oncids/Dends or even Phrags. So there might not even be anything wrong with your plants!

[unhappykat]

It may be that the paph are not getting the proper light. Here I grow them in the same light that I give to my Vandas and Cattleyas. they need to become nearly dry before watering to prevent root rot. Try repoting in fresh spag as they like new media every six to twelve months. That paph in the picture is one of the hybrids from half moon bay that has niveum in its background and possibly armeniacum. It has the look of Armeni white but being from their breeding program it can be anything.

[(..._...)]

Originally Posted by unhappykat

It may be that the paph are not getting the proper light. Here I grow them in the same light that I give to my Vandas and Cattleyas. they need to become nearly dry before watering to prevent root rot. Try repoting in fresh spag as they like new media every six to twelve months. That paph in the picture is one of the hybrids from half moon bay that has niveum in its background and possibly armeniacum. It has the look of Armeni white but being from their breeding program it can be anything.

Thanks for the tips!

I am trying to slowly give them a bit more light. They get lots of light already, but I am sure they could handle more!

Thanks again!