Our Paph has just stopped blooming. The last bloom fell off a week ago .
There were about 10 blooms on two branches, and it has bloomed continuosly
since March. Now these branches have started to wilt also, and the wilt
creeps downward. The plant has also added another leaf in recent months, and
something "green" is showing again above the medium in the pot. The plant
looks very healthy, and it seems happy in its location/environment. I have
posted two photos on http://onetime.freeprohost.com/orchids.htm to support
an analysis.
1. Is the new growth a leaf, or a new stem ?
2. How do I treat this plant from now on ?

Any suggestion greatly appreciated ! Ben.

0. This is a Phalaenopsis (Phal), not a Paphiopedilum (Paph)
1. The green thing on the surface is a nice healthy root tip. Some phals
may put out a new growth, but it is unusual for most of them. They usually
just remain as a single growth and grow new flower stems every year.
2. You seem to be treating it just fine. You may want to cut off the old
flower stem and just let it grow a nice new one. Make sure it gets plenty
of light, and putting it out on the porch for a few nights when the
temperature starts dropping into the high 50s might help it flower again
(this is not true of all Phals, but it generally doesn't hurt either). The
plant looks quite healthy.
-danny

"Ben" wrote in message
...
Our Paph has just stopped blooming. The last bloom fell off a week ago .
There were about 10 blooms on two branches, and it has bloomed continuosly
since March. Now these branches have started to wilt also, and the wilt
creeps downward. The plant has also added another leaf in recent months,
and
something "green" is showing again above the medium in the pot. The plant
looks very healthy, and it seems happy in its location/environment. I
have
posted two photos on http://onetime.freeprohost.com/orchids.htm to support
an analysis.
1. Is the new growth a leaf, or a new stem ?
2. How do I treat this plant from now on ?

Any suggestion greatly appreciated ! Ben.

danny schreef:

0. This is a Phalaenopsis (Phal), not a Paphiopedilum (Paph)
1. The green thing on the surface is a nice healthy root tip. Some phals
may put out a new growth, but it is unusual for most of them. They usually
just remain as a single growth and grow new flower stems every year.

Just one addition: Phals have aerial roots. In the wild they won't grow
in soil, but sitting on the branches of trees with some roots firmly
attached to the branch and onthers hanging freely in the air. So your
Phal is happy and developing an aerial root. Keep it happy and don't try
to cover the root with soil!

2. You seem to be treating it just fine. You may want to cut off the old
flower stem and just let it grow a nice new one. Make sure it gets plenty
of light, and putting it out on the porch for a few nights when the
temperature starts dropping into the high 50s might help it flower again
(this is not true of all Phals, but it generally doesn't hurt either). The
plant looks quite healthy.
-danny

Grtz. Niek

"Ben" wrote in message
...

Our Paph has just stopped blooming. The last bloom fell off a week ago .
There were about 10 blooms on two branches, and it has bloomed continuosly
since March. Now these branches have started to wilt also, and the wilt
creeps downward. The plant has also added another leaf in recent months,
and
something "green" is showing again above the medium in the pot. The plant
looks very healthy, and it seems happy in its location/environment. I
have
posted two photos on http://onetime.freeprohost.com/orchids.htm to support
an analysis.
1. Is the new growth a leaf, or a new stem ?
2. How do I treat this plant from now on ?

Any suggestion greatly appreciated ! Ben.

On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:12:32 +0200, Niek Hanckmann
wrote:

danny schreef:

0. This is a Phalaenopsis (Phal), not a Paphiopedilum (Paph)
1. The green thing on the surface is a nice healthy root tip. Some phals
may put out a new growth, but it is unusual for most of them. They usually
just remain as a single growth and grow new flower stems every year.

Just one addition: Phals have aerial roots. In the wild they won't grow
in soil, but sitting on the branches of trees with some roots firmly
attached to the branch and onthers hanging freely in the air. So your
Phal is happy and developing an aerial root. Keep it happy and don't try
to cover the root with soil!

2. You seem to be treating it just fine. You may want to cut off the old
flower stem and just let it grow a nice new one. Make sure it gets plenty
of light, and putting it out on the porch for a few nights when the
temperature starts dropping into the high 50s might help it flower again
(this is not true of all Phals, but it generally doesn't hurt either). The
plant looks quite healthy.
-danny

Grtz. Niek

You have gotten great advise. I will clarify. The 'plenty of
light' statement. Phal's do not like direct sun light. They
prefer a bright but slightly defused light. If you plant sits in
sunlight it may get a sunburn spot on the leaf. If you have had
it in a very shaded spot to prolong the flowers, move it slowly
to brighter light. Just make sure it is not direct sun.

Best of luck with the new flower spike. It should spike the fall
and grow an inflorescence or two to bloom late Feb. or March next
year.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php

Thanking all of you for your great advise ! And setting us straight the
name of this beautiful orchid. We are looking forward to more blooms in the
future ! Ben & Mary


"Susan Erickson" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:12:32 +0200, Niek Hanckmann
wrote:

danny schreef:

0. This is a Phalaenopsis (Phal), not a Paphiopedilum (Paph)
1. The green thing on the surface is a nice healthy root tip. Some
phals
may put out a new growth, but it is unusual for most of them. They
usually
just remain as a single growth and grow new flower stems every year.

Just one addition: Phals have aerial roots. In the wild they won't grow
in soil, but sitting on the branches of trees with some roots firmly
attached to the branch and onthers hanging freely in the air. So your
Phal is happy and developing an aerial root. Keep it happy and don't try
to cover the root with soil!

2. You seem to be treating it just fine. You may want to cut off the
old
flower stem and just let it grow a nice new one. Make sure it gets
plenty
of light, and putting it out on the porch for a few nights when the
temperature starts dropping into the high 50s might help it flower
again
(this is not true of all Phals, but it generally doesn't hurt either).
The
plant looks quite healthy.
-danny

Grtz. Niek

You have gotten great advise. I will clarify. The 'plenty of
light' statement. Phal's do not like direct sun light. They
prefer a bright but slightly defused light. If you plant sits in
sunlight it may get a sunburn spot on the leaf. If you have had
it in a very shaded spot to prolong the flowers, move it slowly
to brighter light. Just make sure it is not direct sun.

Best of luck with the new flower spike. It should spike the fall
and grow an inflorescence or two to bloom late Feb. or March next
year.
SuE
http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php