Paph. Dollgoldi

[fredbuster]

Hello I have a paph. Dollgoldi with ten growths two of which have a 12 to 14 inch leaf span. I'm sure I am giving enough light but any other tips to help me bloom this would be a great help Two of the growths have three leaves on one side two on the other and now there 's a start of either another leaf or it could be the bloom sheath any ideas. Thanks Ray

[LJA]

It's generally assumed that hybrids are more tolerant of varying conditions, but sometimes that's not the case, especially with Paphs. If you're having problems inducing flowers, check the parentage of the grex and provide the conditions the parents would need.

In this case, you've got rothschildianum x armeniacum, both of which are cool growers. To induce flowering on either, in the fall and early winter, you need to provide *bright* light and cold, since that's what each species gets in the wild for their spring blooming. Both plants also need high pH (7.5 - 8.0) since they grow in limestone crevices, so Dollgoldi will be the same way. A 10 growth plant should have bloomed several times already, so if it hasn't, you'll have to provide the winter cooldown and bright light (grow it along with your Michael Koopowitz) the parents would normally receive in their natural habitats.

As far as general culture goes, since Paphs have no pseudobulbs, they rely on their thick roots for moisture retention. You can never let those go dry. I had to "discover" this years ago by accident. I kept Paphs of the same grex side by side right in front of the greenhouse cool pads where the temperatures never went above 85. Air leaks in the shutters behind the pads provided the necessary cooldown to the low 40s in winter. Lighting was exactly the same for all the plants.

The plants on the left side did great. The plants on the right side didn't grow nearly as fast or robustly, and they only bloomed "when they felt like it": very unreliable.

As it turns out, the growing shelf on the left is a solid piece of polycarbonate plastic covering the cool cell water tank, while the shelf on the right is wire mesh. The overspray from the cool cell puddled on the plastic, got absorbed throught the pots' drain holes, and provided the plants on the left a constant, *changing* supply of oxygenated water, while the plants on the right got no such treatment: the overspray just fell right through the wire mesh.

Pot your Dollgoldi in a medium / fine, well aerated mix that you can water frequently (several times a week) without keeping the medium soggy. If your medium holds too much water, that water held near the roots will quickly lose its oxygen supply and get "stagnant," a condition you want to avoid. Fertilize at every watering with a very dillute solution, and flush with clear water once a month to get rid of any accumulated salts. In the fall and winter, provide the necessary cooldown and bright, diffuse light.

You'll get your plant to bloom yet.

[MikeWA]

This cross has a reputation for not blooming. I personally think it has to do with the parents but I am by far an expert on Paphs.

Something I tried on my Roth crosses

If you are sure the light and warm temps with a drop in temp in the winter are being achieved then try fertilizing with a Calcium Magnesium fertilizer. There are many brands out there. I know DynaGrow has a Cal-Mag and many hydroponic stores carry brands.

Or with your normal fertilizer, start watering with 2 tsp Epsom salts to a gal of water.

This worked for me but not on that particular cross.

[MikeWA]

Darn! Louis was too quick on the draw!

[fredbuster]

Thanks so much for all the information it all makes sense. I just didn't think they needed to get that cold.I have a lot of phals. and I give them a cool down in the fall for about three or four weeks but it sounds like I need to give these two paphs alittle more cooling I was doing just the opposite.I recently got some new paph mix from A& P orchids and it has a lot of lava rock broken up small in it. and Nick from A&P was telling me how wet they grow thier paphs.Guess if I ask and get enough info I'll get them to bloom. I do appreciate what wvwryone has to oiffer. Ray

[MikeWA]

I have known a few Paph growers in my life. When I say Paph grower I mean a wherehouse full of them. The old way was a bark mix and pumice was the secret ingredient. Then the whole CHC thing came in. Now, a person I know is using diatomite in his bark mix and is having "wonderful results" according to him. I still use a bark mix and repot about twice a year.

[Jmoney]

ditto to what louis said. a month of 50 degree nights & less water should help things. and if the leaves aren't yellowish, you can always try more light. dollgoldi is not known as an easy bloomer, much like it's notorious predecessor delrosi. the typical pattern is a plant that grows like a weed...and is a first bloomer...with 10 growths.