Help with a phalaenopsis - shriveled leaves - Orchid Board

JonHewett85 · #1 06-02-2010, 09:17 PM

I have an orchid that was sold to me as a phal and has shriveled looking leaves. I believe it was frost damaged before being given to me after having been left outside for a couple of nights in November. It gets the same treatment as the other 2 phals in the window sill next to it (eastern exposure) which are thriving. It has not put out any leaves but has been continuously blooming since as well even having put up a new spike. Is there anything else i should be doing for it? Any thoughts would be appreciated

PaphMadMan · #2 06-02-2010, 09:40 PM

It is dehydrated. Either it isn't getting enough water, or it got too much and the roots rotted. Check the roots, repot if necessary, and water consitently.

JonHewett85 · #3 06-02-2010, 10:09 PM

I was originally told that I should not re-pot while in bloom. How much if any truth is there to this? It has been growing some new roots from the surface down into the pot over the last couple of months. What are its chances of recovering over the long term? As far as watering it gets the same as the rest of mine which are thriving, is there something i should be doing different?

PaphMadMan · #4 06-02-2010, 10:32 PM

I would go ahead and repot. If the plant is not strong enough to maintain the flowers it will show it - cut them back only if it looks like it isn't doing well. I know others might cut them back no matter what but I have never found it necessary. If you are sure it has been getting enough water then it is all the more likely that old media and bad roots are the problem. Unless there is an underlying disease or pest problem that isn't visible in the photos this plant should have no problem thriving with fresh media and good care. Good luck.

jrodpad · #5 06-02-2010, 10:36 PM

I agree with PaphMadMan, the instructions for recovery for your phal is written in its roots. The question as to whether repotting while a phal is in bloom is a good idea does not have a unanimous answer - but I think that most people believe that a phal will do just fine if you repot while in bloom - at worst you will loose a few blooms. That said, I think the issue of when to repot is a secondary issue here vis-a-vis the long-term recovery of the phal. That is to say, if you examine the roots and there are little or no healthy roots left, you need to take steps in order to save the phal, so the least of your concerns will be loosing a few flowers or a new spike. In fact, if you do not have (m)any healthy roots left on this phal, I would suggest trimming the existing flower spike(s) away in order to focus the phal on root/leaf production. Use of a rooting stimulant might also be in order.

With that in mind, if you examine the roots and the phal has a healthy and plentiful root system, then I'm not sure that I would do anything different from what you're doing now. I would probably wait it out and see what happens, then repot after the phal was done blooming. Phals are awfully sturdy orchids. Good luck and keep us posted!

- J

JonHewett85 · #6 06-02-2010, 11:12 PM

I slipped it out of the pot and had a look at the roots. There do not seem to be any healthy roots in the bottom of the pot but there are new roots growing on top. The only rooting hormone i have is a powdered version from Schultz a .1% Indole-3-butric Acid that i use for rooting cuttings. Can i use this and if so how?

John D. · #7 06-03-2010, 09:44 AM

You can search for threads about repotting but the basics are remove old dead rotted roots and medium.
Also remove the bottom of the stem if it's dead to make potting back in the same container easier. Looks like it's potted in sphagnum which holds water for a while, if you use it don't pack tightly and give it time to get almost completely dry before rewatering. The new roots are a good sign and as new leaves form they will be OK as the plant gets back to having enough roots to support the leaves.
You can sprinkle the rooting hormone you have on the new roots and the base of the stem if you wish.

orchid-flowers · #8 06-03-2010, 02:08 PM

Even though there are new roots growing, I can not see any healthy leaves. I would cut the flowering spikes, to give the orchid better chance to recover. The orchid is already weakened enough, it needs all the strength to grow new leaves to support flowering.

Call_Me_Bob · #9 06-03-2010, 02:12 PM

since you say it has no good roots, i would cut the spikes, and repot into a nice fresh media

JonHewett85 · #10 06-03-2010, 11:03 PM

Thanks alot for all the help guys. I picked up some fresh media today. The flowers were starting to wilt a little so i went ahead and cut the spikes just above the 2nd node and rubbed some cinnamon on the cuts. There is some root growth starting but i did sprinkle some rooting hormone on it. Here is a picture of the bottom of (sorry about the quality cell phone is the best i could do) It's all potted and some fresh coconut fiber and its draining as we speak. Thanks again for all the help guys!