Phals Needing Help? - Orchid Board

samakar1516 · #1 07-19-2012, 03:16 PM

I bought a couple of phals the other day. They traveled for about 80 miles in the car until they got home. For some reason they were left in the car for a couple of hours before they were brought back into the house. I live in NC where it is hot and steamy. Needless to say, the next day I noticed one of the phals had some discolored soft spots on the leaves, and I think the buds are going to drop also. The other phal seems to have faired better so far; one bud has opened and seems to be ok so far. Is the other one done for because of those soft spots on the leaves? I'm assuming it's because of the heat and humidity that they suffered while being in the car. Be frank with me....I can take it. I'm quite disappointed, but I guess accidents do happen. If anyone can offer any advice or anything I would appreciate it. If I have to get rid of the first one I will, because I can't see it barely holding on if it's never going to be the same again.
Thanks!

Bud · #2 07-19-2012, 04:27 PM

80 miles with AC on is fine but 2 hours of heat and the sun directly on the plant will do a magnifying glass effect on the leaves and bake them....
do what you need to do according to Phal culture....observe for a couple of weeks and you will know when they produce new roots or a leaf that they are ok
they are hardy and can take a lot of abuse. they will recover and survive

Wynn Dee13 · #3 07-19-2012, 05:20 PM

Yeah it probably got sun burnt. It won't kill the plant. The spots won't go away but the new leaves that grow will be fine. The spots will change and become leathery and might change colors but as long as an infection doesnt set in and spread they will be fine. The high heat might blast the buds though. Cars can get really hot so they probably got stressed from the heat. You will just have to see what happens with the plant. Like Bud said they are tough plants and should be fine.

samakar1516 · #4 07-19-2012, 05:38 PM

If I do see new roots and leaves as I'm sure I will (hopefully), should I then cut off those leaves affected by the high heat?
Thanks guys.

Wynn Dee13 · #5 07-19-2012, 05:50 PM

I wouldn't cut the leaves off. The plant can still use them even if part of it is burnt. If the burn is at the tip you could trim the tip off. They will naturally fall someday anyway when they get to the bottom and age.

james mickelso · #6 07-19-2012, 06:57 PM

The one that has been stressed the most and had a bad case of sunburn, if it has a flower spike, I would cut it off. Flowering stresses the plant enough and needs some time to heal (make new leaves and roots).

samakar1516 · #7 07-19-2012, 07:54 PM

OK, thanks again guys for all your advice.