Paph. General Info Help...

Hi everybody, As I'm sure you've all guessed I'm a newbie here and with orchids. I bought a couple of orchids a while back and I've got the basics for them i.e. evaporation pans etc. however, I believe that they both need to be repotted and I would find some help on the matter extremely enjoyable. One of the orchids I have is a paphiopedilum (I don't remember the species ) and it is growing roots out of the bottom of the pot and it also has new growth at the base that's been developing for about 2-3 weeks. I really don't know what kind of potting medium I should plant it in or even IF I should at this point. Any info? I live in the North Western US, Eastern Oregon to be specific if that has any corrilation to my current plight.

Thanks!!!

Hi and welcome. Can you show us a picture so we can see it what shape the plants are and whether or not they should be repotted?

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Three wrong doesn't make a right; three left does make a right.

Welcome newbie and by all means post a foto of you problem chid!

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It always rains after a dry spell !:

Hi Newbie

My paphs all seem to quite like bark, however I use a finer mix than for my phals. I also chop up a bit of sphagnum moss into mine for a bit of extra water retention. They don't like to be kept wet, and should dry out. A lot of people on his forum also use semi-hydro for their paphs, although I have read about some people finding that the water gets too cold in the winter for their paphs, so it can all be dependent on where you are growing and night time temperatures.

I'm afraid I have no idea what the climate's like in Oregon so can't comment.

I am also pretty sure that the best time for repotting for paphs is when they have finished flowering and are in active growth. Again, I would bow to others' superior knowledge if they contradict me, as I have only had paphs for about a year now, with only a 50% reblooming success rate.

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Kerry
Getting obssessed and loving every minute of it....

Here they are, my first one is a paph, and the other is a Miltassia C. M. Fitch 'Izumi'. As I've stated I got them a few months ago, I think around November if I recall correctly.

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The plant you describe as a paph is NOT a paph, but some sort of dendrobium.

The dendrobium appears fine as far as potting goes. The miltassia needs to be repotted.

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Steven

In Flower/Bud:
Phal Aurelia Franklin peloric, Paph Magic Lantern, Paph philippinense, Phal Leopard Prince x Brother Danseuse

and a few others too.

Low Bud/spike?

I agree with Steven, it's definitely a Den.

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It always rains after a dry spell !:

Hehe.... told you I was a newbie. Ah well . Thanks for the correction!!!! Okay so if the Den. is fine then how should I go about mixing new potting medium for the Milt.? Oh can anyone suggest some good books for newbies and orchids?

Thanks Much

The Internet!!!

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Steven

In Flower/Bud:
Phal Aurelia Franklin peloric, Paph Magic Lantern, Paph philippinense, Phal Leopard Prince x Brother Danseuse

and a few others too.

Low Bud/spike?

Any site suggestions? I'm really quite lost here