Phals leaves limp!

[dianecty]

Why are my phal leaves getting limp and wilted? Is it lack of sunshine, water? It always happens with my phals with purple flowers. What am I doing wrong? When I look at the skewer, the bottom 1/3-1/4of the stick is damp so I don't water them.

Also, how do I resuscitate wilting flowers?

Thanks for any help!!!

[isurus79]

Theres a good chance that if the media is always wet, then the leaves have folded up due to lack of water reaching them. Basically, the roots may have rotted off so no water can get to the crown. I would check your roots and some pics would help too.

[justatypn]

Phal are nutorious for wilted leaves. If it is in bloom and has been on a continuous roll blooming than I would suggest after this blooming cycle cut it back and let the phal rest. If it is not in bloom and you are saying that the skewer is not indicating watering I would suggest taking it out of the pot and look at the rooting system. Make sure the roots are firm, not mushy or stringy.

When was the last time you repotted?

[snow]

i second that

[Ray]

Diane,

Orchids do most of their "breathing" through their roots. Most terrestrial plants do so via their leaves. Because of that basic, but very important difference, orchids must have a very "open" medium that allows the gas exchange to go on freely. The trick, of course, is to provide that and sufficient moisture.

Most likely your phals' roots have suffocated in the overly-compact, soggy medium, so have died. With no roots, the plants cannot take up water, so dehydrate.


I recommend removing the plants from their pots, removing as much of the medium as possible from the roots, trimming off the brown rotted ones (any that are firm to a gently squeeze are OK, just trim off all of the limp stuff), repot into an airier medium, and then keep the plant warm, very humid, and shady for a few weeks while they grow new roots and recover.

[dianecty]

I will check the roots tonight. I just use bark and I repotted and cut off dead roots as soon as I got them which is just a couple of weeks ago. Could it be underwatered instead of overwatered?

Aside from wilting, the leaves have become soft and "sad", in other words, they are not firm and they kind of sag.

What d'yall think?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by dianecty

Could it be underwatered instead of overwatered?

Sure, that's a possibility, of course.

[dianecty]

Hi guys!!! You were right!! All of my orchids had rotting roots. I don't want to use bark anymore. What would you recommend - I need a medium that has the best drainage?

I bought bermuda green rock and lava rock at HOme Depot only to discover the bermuda green rock also absorbs moisture like lava rock. Should I use a medium that mostly does not absorb moisture so that it all flows out of the pot? I was thinking 2/3 marble chips and 1/3 lava rock. What do you think?

[snow]

go s/h

[isurus79]

Bark is actually a great medium. I would put some lava rock on the bottom 1/3 of the pot and then bark on top of that. Then, back off on the watering a bit when you have your plants back in the pots. If you have only a few good roots left, you might want to try spag n bag, but some pics would be VERY helpful!!