What Causes Smaller Leaves & Stems?

[Optimist]

No high nitrogen in Phals, or any orchid, really. The roots are just what is genetically programed into the plant. It is seeking out moisture. They also grow on trees and cling to the bark of the trees. They do not stay in a small pot. Last, the smaller leaves will become the larger leaves when the bottom leave falls off. The bottom will fall off (turn yellow and die and just pop off) when its time has come. The plants "sacrifice" some part of the sugar store to feed the next generation's flower. In monopodial orchids that means that one leaf is the equivilant of a pseudopod -- Orchids that are sympodial (cattleyas, even paphiopedilums) will sacrifice the older growth. This is similar to bromiliads and just a survival strategy that is genetically programed in the plant.