Phalaenopsis Wilting Lower Leaves

[justatypn]

Ang this is how we learn, orchids will tell you if they are not happy and with that a question will be answered here at the OB

[Oscarman]

Anytime you have Phal. with limp and wrinkly leaves, suspect the roots. If you are watering thoroughly and often enough, then the roots are not functioning properly. You need to see what is going on in the pot and what condition the roots are in.

I too have had Phals with limp lower leaves and firm upper leaves. In every case it was either not established properly to support all the top growth or the roots were rotting.

Gently knock the plant out of the pot and check the root condition. If the plant is healthy it won't mind too much and if is not healthy you need to get it out of the pot/mix anyway.

Healthy roots are firm and whitish in color, often with green root tips indicating the plant is in a growth cycle. Dead roots are soft, squishy, brown, wet.

[sapphireeyes27]

I feel your pain Angela! I can't figure out for the life of me why it does it either, but I have five phals, and three of them have shed their very bottom leaf. I asked about it on another thread, and they said that as long as the other leaves look fine (which they do and yours seem to be too), the plant should be fine. On the other thread, they said that phals sometimes just do that, and that I shouldn't worry.

I also water once a week, but I live in New Jersey, so my environment is obviously very different. I would think that yours would need more watering being in that hot Florida sun!

Granted, I'm very new to this, so what do I know! Nevertheless, it seems that some things are just a mystery when it comes to orchids.

Good luck with figuring yours out!!

Rachel

[Rich S.]

FWIW, I don't think the fungus is the problem, but rather is the by product of bad potting medium. If it will support fungus it must be holding too much water for too long. Normally, I would think that once a week is not often enough, but you are growing 'srooms.

[Dorothy]

It is normal for the lower leaves of a phal to wilt and die especially if there is growth from the top of the crown. It could, also be due to a the weak root system. Definitely give it a check. A repotting might be a good idea

[Candice]

I also would like to add that I have at lease three phals that are or have already lost/losing there bottom leaves. But these phals are healthy and I can tell by the roots that are aerial and new root growth because they are thick, grenish-white and pretty solid.
I am experiementing a lil with everything it seems. I have different media on all of them: some mounted, potted, and some in s/h. Also some in more sun than the others, but they aren't getting burnt. But anyways, I think its alright if they are gradually turning yellow and then falling off. Well thats been my experience for my healthy ones, my sick ones have died of rot and looks completely different, or rot root!

[paphlovian]

Thanks to everyone for all the responses! Yesterday, I noticed that one of the phals has several new roots starting to grow from the base! This one had been repotted several months ago, so I'd rather not pull it out to check the roots. I think the roots had been to wet before (may have damaged original roots). Now, my other phal just quit blooming, so I think I will repot it this week, cutting out dead roots. Regarding this phal, about half of the roots that had grown out of the pot (at the time I bought it) have dried up. Could this be because they didn't stay wet enough? How do you care for the phal roots that grow out of the pot to avoid them drying out (yet, not keeping it too wet!)? I have misted them, yet I guess it wasn't the right thing to do, or it was done improperly.

[caseydoll]

HI Angela! I mist my aerial roots lightly in the morning. Since I've been doing that they have been looking a lot better. I'm careful not to get any water in the crown but if a little gets on the leaves it dries pretty quick. I have no clue if this is the right thing to do but I can't think of another way other then watering the whole thing.

[Rich S.]

Just a thought. Even evergreen plants shed their leaves. They just do it gradually, not all at once. So I guess we shouldn't worry unless they start sheding alot.

[gutchin]

If my Phals are flowering, but the leaves aren't looking too good, what would happen to the flowers if I re-potted the plant with fresh medium? Also, do you recommend plastic or clay pots, and do Phals like to be potbound?