Paph Root Question

[Phyrex]

My Paph Ho Chi Minh seems to have survived the holiday dehydration well. I always let it dry out a bit more than the others but it didn't even miss a beat.

I'm wondering about the roots on this guy. There are a lot of roots that are showing at the top of the medium. Is there anything I can do without harming the new growth? I can move it to a bigger pot and pot it deeper but I'm worried about rotting the new growth since it's quite low.

Also do you think there is enough space for the new growth to mature (it really looks like it's kinda pushed in there. If I need to repot when is the best time?

PS I think there is something else coming but I'm pretty sure it's a root. I don't think it can support another growth at this point.

[clintdawley]

Your plant looks great. You can repot paphs at any time (I believe..now is a good time). The one that I have seems to like being repotted--it responds with a new burst of growth.

I think your plant looks fine in the pot it is in. If you're worried about those roots, just put a few more pieces of bark over them.

[smartie2000]

yup if you are worried about the roots place some bark over them. It doesn't look like it needs repotting but it shouldn't hurt.

you are doing better with Ho Chi Minh than me. So good job! I might have to toss mine because it must be genetically not be vigorous. I just read they can be frustrating plants, mostly with a tendency to rot. Also seedlings not growing up, like in my case.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, do not pot it up into a bigger pot. You don't want to rot the roots. It looks happy just like it is. A couple pieces of bark on top of the exposed roots should make you feel better, but doesn't appear necessary. Nice growing!!

Cheers,
BD

[clintdawley]

I really like the "wavy" check patterns on the leaves. It is pretty.

[clintdawley]

Geez..

Call me a cheapo but I checked on these. A vendor wants $75 for a 3" pot...that's kinda pricy huh?

[Phyrex]

$75 is a bit crazy. I didn't even know they were that hard to grow. It is one of my first paphs (bought together with 2 others) and I must say it's the one that's growing the best (especially with my recently uncovered underwatering habbits).

I paid $40 for it in a 4" pot when it had a spike and 2 buds.
Paid $35 for the 4" Magic Lantern compot with 6 small seedlings.

Geez..

Call me a cheapo but I checked on these. A vendor wants $75 for a 3" pot...that's kinda pricy huh?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

LOL.. we paid something like 250.00 for a flask. I think we have like six plants left out of the flask. I think they are pricey because they are harder to grow than others.

Cheers,
BD

[Phyrex]

I really don't mind the roots at all (they're actually kinda nice) I'm just worried that they'll dry out or are not supposed to be on the surface.

It's in an east window and it does get quite a lot of light (need to get a light meter soon). I watered it once a week during the winter (sometimes even 2 weeks if it was too wet) and have just changed to every 4 or 5 days depending on how dry it is. I fertilized it once every other watering during the fall and winter (half of the concentration of the 19-31-17 orchid food), I'll probably keep it at once every other watering during the summer too. It has it's own tray with pebbles it sits on which only fills from the run off after watering (I'm just making sure there's not chance of watering wicking up into the pot).

The Magic Lantern compot is right next to it (but it's in sphag though) and it gets pretty much the same treatment and seems to be doing well also. I do monitor the wetness on the compot a bit more since they're so fragile.

[bench72]

Whole plant looks great richard, keep on doing what you are doing! There's always gonna be a couple of rogue roots that tries to escape... wouldn't worry too much about it, like others have suggested a couple of bark might help but not altogether necessary... i've got much the same thing happening here... roots just go where they want to!