Paphs vs phals
 

I have struggled with phals, especially when it comes to watering and light requirements, the basics for keeping plants alive. I have 2 minis and one full sized, all NoIDs. The minis are out of bloom and kind of doing nothing...I know, I know patiences. The full size is in bloom since I got it seems to be doing ok. I have really been admiring the paphs I see here and I am thinking of getting one. How are they as compared to phals in terms of care? I also have a compact catt, that is doing well and a newly acquired oncidium. Thanks!

-A paph doesn't like water in it's pouch
-A paph has semi terrestrial to terrestrial roots
-It has hairy roots
-It likes airy and potting mixes that drains well but still retains moisture like perlite,fine bark,some moss,etc.(depends on your climate)
-Paphs are divided into two groups:
Mottled leaf types are warm growers
Green leaf types are cool growers
-these plants must have constant MOISTURE in the roots(not soggy or wet) because they don't have pseudobulbs or thick fleshy leaves to store water.
-humidity is 45-70%
-it blooms terminally, meaning it is the first and last bloom and it will produce babies that will flower terminally too.though there are very rare cases that paphs bloom twice in between leaves like phals do
-they require shady conditions(from my research,about 800 - 1500 foot candles is enough).
an east or a shaded west or south facing window can provide good light.personally for me,phals and paphs have the same light requirements but a little lesser.

And that's it ;)

I have also found phals hard to care for. Beginner orchids are oncidiums, cattleyas, and dendrobiums. I think if you read care sheets, then phaphs will be easier than phals too. Some give you one flower per year, some are sequential bloomers. Id love to get some but right now there is a moritorium on orchid expenditures in my household.

What a generous, complete, brilliant offering!:cheer:

---------- Post added at 02:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

I think some might find phals challenging simply because they are monopiodal, and so, less forgiving of less than decent culture. You grow an orchid whose vegetation emerges from a rhizome, they can survive even abysmal culture for a while---I mean you can save parts--- until the grower moves further along in his or her learning curve.

Once you get a clear handle on what they need, esp watering, Phals truly aren't difficult!!!:)

The idea of leaving a plant alone and not fussing with it is hard for a lot of orchid growers. I think people tend to want to fuss with their plants a bit and this is what kills most phals that newbies get their hands on, that combined with selecting poor plants to try their hand at. Hardware store phals are often overwatered to the point that by the time you get them home, some kind of rot has already set in and the best thing to do is immediately repot them. I think 90% of caring for and reblooming a phal, is in selecting a healthy plant in the first place.

Paphs are not as readily available as phals, but that careful selection of a healthy plant does also qualify. I only have two paphs and I think I need a few more, but they are some of my favorite orchids in my collection, not for their flowers, but for how tough they are. They are really forgiving of me being somewhat intermittent with watering, as long as I mist the top of the pot every day when the weather is warm, they seem to be happy.

I agree....fussing is anxiety generated (a defense against fear and confusion) and also, I think, indigenous early on in the learning curve.

YES, you need more Paphs! And sooooooo.....do I!:biggrin:

I agree with the above, especially since I'm one of those people that can't leave their orchids alone! I think paphs have a better chance at being saved, because if you ever screw up, a new fan can always grow. Plus, they don't require as much aeration as phals, so it's harder to overwater. Paphs are also much more likely to come from experienced growers, have tags and be grown from seed, therefore ensuring a good healthy plant to start with.

Well, once we own more of the basics we need....earn those, I honestly don't think phals are difficult. But, you bet re paphs...and I prefer divisions, of course, when I can afford them, cause seedings are always a crap shoot.

I just now..... want a lot more than I have!!!! Also, cause like my Phals, I can grow my Paphs hanging.....I have no more room for anything I need to grow sitting on a surface, meaning Catts, oncidiums, etc.

I am having a little more luck with phals. Yes, it is because they are monopodial. I think that the sympodial orchids with pseudobulbs are easier for beginners to learn with. Later, they can get the more difficult orchids. Since phals seem to be grown and sold like cut flowers it looks like few people consider them easy care orchids. So I'm pretty sure Op will have good luck with the phaphs.

Agree. Worst part,they are CHEAPER than cut flowers.:( But nobody with a marginally intact soul could ever treat any living being the way the original owners of those which come my way in this building treat plants.

Most phalaenopsis (there are a few, more unusual species that are exceptions) like it very warm, quite shady, and evenly moist while still getting lots of air flow to the root system. They also like humidity, but seem to tolerate a lack of that more than anything else. Assuming the first two are not an issue, the key to success lies in the medium selection.

That may be a matter of experimentation, with the plant, the pot, your growing conditions, and yes, your personal tendencies, all taken into account. I have put together a guide to choosing potting media at my website.

I find phals much easier in terms of sturdiness, but paphs are just about as easy and sturdy, just slightly different.

There are quite a few different types of paphs and they slightly differ in what they need to thrive.

Very very roughly, I would say phals are more forgiving of "drought". Paphs like to have their roots moist at all time, although they may tolerate very short "drought".

Both phals and paphs need bright indirect light.
Phals need warmer conditions year around compared to commonly available paphs (again, this is quite a bit of generalization).

How do you "ruin" your phals with watering?
Do you tend to overwater?? If yes, plant your phals in largy chunky bark instead of finer grade and/moss.
Then you can water liberally without worrying about rotting until the bark becomes old and break down, by then the old bark will stay wet too long. but it may take over one or even two year to reach that point.

With paphs, overwatering will also invite issues at the roots. Again, if you love watering your plants, even paphs can be potted in something chunky but nothing too big like large grade bark.
I would recommend medium grade bark mixed with some chunky perlite. This way, you can water very often without worrying about the roots too much.

Start with something very easy and strong like what is called "maudiae" types. These come in white/green, dark wine color, and a combination of the first two. Plus, they all come with pretty looking leaves, so it's not boring when not in bloom.
These grow and bloom easy under normal phal care, and their flowers last very long, upto 3 month is common. Last, these are the cheapest of the paphiopediums. :)

Go get some. :)

Get some paphs in that lobby of yours!:rofl:

I am on my way....but my real weakness is the giant bulldogs! Esp those with fine balance and flat segments. I am wicked crazy about them!!!!

But, sadly, I mean divisions....not affordable seedlings.

Open your wallet!
Just kidding.

If you have enough space, why don't you try flasks?
One ore two should turn out quite nice among many.

Now I feel like hijacking this thread. lol