Lithophytic Paphiopedilum

[AtantaR]

I have had this Paphiopedilum for about two years. It hasnt bloomed since i got it nor does it have a name. Ive never seen the bloom for this orchid. I did get it on a rack that had Paph. (Sue Franz '#1' x Black Cherry '#3') tho. Which is a very beautiful flower. So who knows if they are bother and sister. From my last thread on this plant from two years ago we concluded that the growth habit might be from the complexity of the hybrid with Paph callosum. Here is a link to that thread. Where you can also link to the (sue franz x black cherry)bloom.... http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...um-growth.html

Here is a picture of it. Ive tried so many random things putting moss along the stem and leaning it over and such. Its been getting very high light with my cattleya and Encyclia species. I just cleaned it all off today and want to do something different. Maybe even make it bloom...haha....here is a picture of it and if you checked out the link you can see pictures from two years ago. My question: Does anyone have any ideas???..haha thanks

[paphioboy]

Your old media that you used previously must have been unsuitable, hence the plant did not put out any root into the medium. You might even sever halfway through the long 'stem'/stolon as I see root nubs emerging close to the leaves. Pot in a suitable sized pot in fresh medium suitable for paphiopedilum.

[AtantaR]

The only part that was in the media was the very base that i hold in my hand. everything else was grown in the "air". Thats why it never grew out long roots. What kind of potting mix would you recommend for paphiopedilums, Paphioboy? My other paph is grow in a mix of semi fine charcoal, perlight, lava rock, bark, and moss. Its doing very well and has a new growth starting now. Would that be an appropriate mix? Ive asked so many people about this plant, expert and novice, and no one has seen anything like it before! Wait I lie...Except Branka aka "Paph" from this orchid forum....thanks for you help and comments

[paphioboy]

Use the same mix that you used for the other paph. Use the smallest pot possible and keep moist, not wet, to prevent the buried part from rotting. I am growing under an entirely different climate, so the media I use will be unsuitable for your conditions.

[AtantaR]

good answer!

[Romeomffn]

Andrew what kind of Paph is that in your avatar?? BTW, I just got a freebie paph with one of my orders and it looks just like the one you were holding in your hands... how did that turn out for you ??

[AtantaR]

the picture in my avatar isnt actually a Paphiopedilum....Its a photo negative of a white and pink phalaenopsis.......As for my weird growing Paph....I continued by putting it in a longer container with some bark, sphag and a few stones. It did well under lights, but I came under some hardships again and all my orchids went outside in early March to late April. Very random temps as well as a couple frosts. My paph was one of the 6 orchids that i lost from my collection. UNfortunately with some that had good memories tied to them....ugh..life goes on in memory... i think its was a brother (a white varation) from this other paph that i have< which is doing very well... it doesnt have the same growth habit as of yet

http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...herry-3-a.html

[diogo]

That happened to my Paphs when I used Osmocote granules... the plants wanted to run out of the pots!!!

[King Kjeldz]

That happened to my Paphs when I used Osmocote granules... the plants wanted to run out of the pots!!!

OMG not osmocote...dats deadly...use Nutricote...i use it on any and everything

[Katherine]

Also, you should not have it in bright light when you are trying to nurse it to health. Let its energy go to making roots. Dip the end of it in a rooting compound before planting. Might try a bit of super thrive also.