Stunted Paph. species won't grow.

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bulolo

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I have 2 primulinum f. purpurascens seedlings that I have had for 5 or more years that absolutely refuse to grow any larger. The plants are about 2-3 inches wide. They are the only survivors of a compot that I got years ago. Does anyone have suggestions as to how I can get these to grow or should I compost them?
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I just can't get them to bulk up. Frustrating!
 
Either one, but you need to think about the "mechanics" of the uptake. In other words, "yes", it can be applied as a foliar spray, but does the plant respond well to that?

Many orchids are notoriously poor at foliar uptake, because they have waxy cuticle layers on the leaves, which evolved as part of the plants' water retention strategy. Unfortunately, a coating that prevents water loss is probably pretty good at preventing uptake as well. Phalaenopsis have very thick layers, so are poor at foliar uptake, and in my opinion - based upon observation only - paphs are up there, as well.

Generally, young plants have not yet had time to develop the waxy cutex to a significant degree, so are better about foliar uptake than are mature plants, and plants with thinner leaves tend to be better at it than those with thicker leaves. For example, I speculate that "strap-leaved" paphs are better at it than mottled-leaved ones, and that phrags are even better.

Again - and this seems to be the only "universal" thing I can think of about orchid culture - it's not an "all or nothing" scenario. Plants that are poor at foliar uptake still do some... Besides, if you spray a plant thoroughly, much of it drips into the substrate anyway, giving the plant the opportunity to use its roots.
 
Either one, but you need to think about the "mechanics" of the uptake. In other words, "yes", it can be applied as a foliar spray, but does the plant respond well to that?

Many orchids are notoriously poor at foliar uptake, because they have waxy cuticle layers on the leaves, which evolved as part of the plants' water retention strategy. Unfortunately, a coating that prevents water loss is probably pretty good at preventing uptake as well. Phalaenopsis have very thick layers, so are poor at foliar uptake, and in my opinion - based upon observation only - paphs are up there, as well.

Generally, young plants have not yet had time to develop the waxy cutex to a significant degree, so are better about foliar uptake than are mature plants, and plants with thinner leaves tend to be better at it than those with thicker leaves. For example, I speculate that "strap-leaved" paphs are better at it than mottled-leaved ones, and that phrags are even better.

Again - and this seems to be the only "universal" thing I can think of about orchid culture - it's not an "all or nothing" scenario. Plants that are poor at foliar uptake still do some... Besides, if you spray a plant thoroughly, much of it drips into the substrate anyway, giving the plant the opportunity to use its roots.
Thank you Ray for the great lesson!
 
Either one, but you need to think about the "mechanics" of the uptake. In other words, "yes", it can be applied as a foliar spray, but does the plant respond well to that?

Many orchids are notoriously poor at foliar uptake, because they have waxy cuticle layers on the leaves, which evolved as part of the plants' water retention strategy. Unfortunately, a coating that prevents water loss is probably pretty good at preventing uptake as well. Phalaenopsis have very thick layers, so are poor at foliar uptake, and in my opinion - based upon observation only - paphs are up there, as well.

Generally, young plants have not yet had time to develop the waxy cutex to a significant degree, so are better about foliar uptake than are mature plants, and plants with thinner leaves tend to be better at it than those with thicker leaves. For example, I speculate that "strap-leaved" paphs are better at it than mottled-leaved ones, and that phrags are even better.

Again - and this seems to be the only "universal" thing I can think of about orchid culture - it's not an "all or nothing" scenario. Plants that are poor at foliar uptake still do some... Besides, if you spray a plant thoroughly, much of it drips into the substrate anyway, giving the plant the opportunity to use its roots.
Ray, can I mix microbial mixes (Mikrobs) or Epsom salts in with the Kelpmax solution when I water? Trying to simplify my routine.
 
I have 2 primulinum f. purpurascens seedlings that I have had for 5 or more years that absolutely refuse to grow any larger. The plants are about 2-3 inches wide. They are the only survivors of a compot that I got years ago. Does anyone have suggestions as to how I can get these to grow or should I compost them?
View attachment 30967
I just can't get them to bulk up. Frustrating!
I have a stonei and a charlesworthii with the same problem in the past. They make me crazy, I tried with different soils, place, watering schedule. They have been years without growing even. At last how it works for me was to repoted in a small pot. They have been always in a bigger pot that they need!! Your primulinum remind me my plants. Maybe not be the problem, but maybe can help you
 
I wish you the best with them and would love to hear about any positive update after trying kelpmax.
However, I do believe those are probably just runts unless they were treated properly all these years (two main things I would ask: are they properly watered and not allowed to dry out and stay dry too long on a regular basis, are they kept warm since this is a warm grower at all time)
The fact that they are still at this size after five years time gives a pretty clear answer to me.
That is a long enough time for them to be blooming once or twice already for the best growing seedlings.
Some seedlings just won't grow.
 
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