The leaf on my phal and getting it to bloom - Orchid Board

en3rmax · #1 09-30-2011, 11:00 AM

Hi there OB,

This is my first ever phal and it's never bloomed since i had it in easter 09, all my other phals bloom ok but this one seems to be shy.

The one leaf has a lighter edge is this ok? the phal started growing a new leaf then when it was still small another leaf started and stopped the growth of the other, it's the leaf that stopped that has the lighter edge.

I'm trying to get this phal to bloom i'm giving it cooler nights and as much filtered light as possible, i feed it with dyna-gro orchid pro 7-8-6 but i have some orchid focus bloom feed would it be best to switch to this as it's supposed to help blooming?

The plant seems really healthy with lots of new root growth and it's media is fresh and good quality.

I just want it to bloom!! :-)

tucker85 · #2 09-30-2011, 12:01 PM

It sounds like you're doing everything right and the plant looks really healthy. I don't know what else you can do except wait. I don't know what the yellow edge is. A few of mine have developed a redish edge but it doesn't seem to hurt anything. Good luck. I hope it blooms for you.

silken · #3 09-30-2011, 12:35 PM

It certainly looks healthy! The yellow edge is strange but it doesn't look like disease or anything. A bit of red on the edges indicates its getting quite good light as far as I know for Phals with reds or pinks in their blooms, but not yellow.

Maybe by giving it a bit cooler temps for 4 to 6 weeks and some bloom booster, you will shake it up a bit and get it to bloom.

It might just be the angle of the photo, but the newer leaves look smaller than older leaves. I have read that new leaves should be as large or larger than older leaves once fully grown. If not, then something is lacking. From the look of the roots and the lovely clean leaves, I can't imagine what tho! Was it in very low light before?

camille1585 · #4 09-30-2011, 02:15 PM

We've had discussions here in the past about the yellow edge on phals leaves, but no one really knows what causes it. Seems to be likely stress related. Don't be afraid of giving it a few hours of direct morning sun (adjust the phal to it though) Phals can take a lot more light than you'd think, and it may help trigger blooming.

en3rmax · #5 09-30-2011, 03:13 PM

Hi silken, it is just the angle of the picture, here is a shot from another angle.

Lagoon · #6 09-30-2011, 03:15 PM

That is beautiful looking phal - congrats!

If you can kick up you're lighting just a bit, those yellow edges will turn white'ish - so then it getting really high lighting which it may want for blooming.

You may want to include a couple of shots of epsom salts - 1 teaspoon per gallon, omit the regular ferts for a few waterings.

Good luck, please keep us posted

silken · #7 09-30-2011, 03:29 PM

[QUOTE=en3rmax;440693]Hi silken, it is just the angle of the picture, here is a shot from another angle.

Yes, that makes it look much different from the other angle. It looks very healthy, so a few little changes might produce results. I like epsom salts now and then too. and a bit more light and a few cooler weeks might do it. Keep us posted.