What am I doing wrong with this Phal?

[wheelerb7]

I have had this phaleanopsis orchid for about a year. It had plenty of wonderful blooms. After all the blooms died I trimmed the spike back. Some time after that leaves started to have this withered look. When wwe returned from vacation I had decided it was too late for this plant and was actually going to toss it when I notice new growth from the node. As you can see, it is about to bloom, and there is a new leaf sprouting too. Can someone give me advice on what I might be doing wrong?

[Bud]

before I can advise you, I need your grow zone, the environment the plant is in=humidity, temperature, light and air flow...what fertilizer are you giving the plant and how often?
did you check the roots? do not be scared to look at the roots and repot it again....maybe there is a ball of moss at the center doing the damage

[Leadfoot]

Looks dehydrated to my rookie eyes, either root rot or watering practices are where I'd look first.

[Wynn Dee13]

Yep it's dehydrated either from too much water which will rot the roots and won't allow the plant to take up water or from not watering enough. You need to unpot it and look at the roots. If they are squishy they are rotten and dead if they are firm they are healthy. When you unpot take pics of the roots and post them for us to see. Usually people over water orchids more than they under water.

Welcome by the way!

[james mickelso]

When a phal blooms, it takes a lot of starches and sugars out of the leaves because that is where the plant stores it's energy reserves. It has no pbulb in which to store anything. That can, sometimes, lead to flacidity in the leaves. It has no detrimental effect on the plant and when the new leaves grow they can again be nice a firm. It's nice the plant has grown a new infloresence but that is going to stress it even more. I would cut that off and let the plant regain some vigor. I would also take Wynn Dee's advice and take it out of the pot to inspect the roots. At this time you can tidy them up a bit and repot it. This mix looks to be in good shape and if you can't find any new potting mix, just reuse the old potting mix. If there is a bunch of old compressed spagnum moss under the rootball, please carefully take it out. I use tweezers and just carefully pluck it out. Cut off any noticeably rotted roots. Repot it and water it well, then wait for the pot to fdeel light before watering again. Depending on the temps where you live this could be a couple days to a week. Feel it's weight before you water, and then afterwards. The difference will be how much moisture the plant and mix hold. If you would rather keep the new spike, then water the plant carefully. Don't let it stay too wet. Damp is good, while wet is not. Especially the center. Also a little air movement is a good thing. Helps the plant transpire moisture. Good luck. If you can, please show us pics of the roots.

[james mickelso]

Oh, and one more thing about phals. They need good dappled light to help keep their leaves nice and full. Too little light and the leaves get limp. I don't know where you keep this plant but give it some morning or afternoon sunlight. Shaded during mid day. If it is in a west or south window, hang a very sheer curtain at the window to filter the light a bit.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

When a phal blooms, it takes a lot of starches and sugars out of the leaves because that is where the plant stores it's energy reserves. It has no pbulb in which to store anything. That can, sometimes, lead to flacidity in the leaves. It has no detrimental effect on the plant and when the new leaves grow they can again be nice a firm.

James, I agree to some extent but only when they is some underlying health or culture problem. I've never seen this in a healthy phal as they take up enough moisture/nutrients to compensate and the leaves should remain firm. I would say if that is happening either the roots are in poor shape or something is missing from your culture. Just from my experience that healthy phals cope with flowering just fine.

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I would cut that off and let the plant regain some vigor.

Agreed because this phal is obviously struggling and letting it flower again without correcting the cause and letting it recover will weaken it further.

I also agree with Whyn Dee that checking the roots is the most important thing to do now.

[goodgollymissmolly]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

When a phal blooms, it takes a lot of starches and sugars out of the leaves because that is where the plant stores it's energy reserves. It has no pbulb in which to store anything. That can, sometimes, lead to flacidity in the leaves. It has no detrimental effect on the plant and when the new leaves grow they can again be nice a firm.

I don't have but maybe 250 Phals including 51 of the 61 species so I'm just a beginner, but I have never seen or heard of such a thing as described here.

Look at the roots. You'll find that you have none because they died due to being kept wet instead of moist.

[wheelerb7]

I think that the roots are the problem. Attached are pictures. They are not real clear, but hopefully you will be able to tell enough. There are some rotted roots and some green. Of all my phals I have never had one with this few roots. Is this normal? When I re-pot should I use just bark or should I use both bark and sphagnum? Should I really cut away the flowering spike? If the root problem is cleared up, do you think the new leaf will grow in better? Also, it seems it's taking this new leaf a lot of time to grow.

As far as the environment: I live in zone 6 (Ohio). The room I keep this phal in has a large window facing SE. I have 5 other phals in this room that are doing well. 4 of the 5 are growing new leaves and all the leaves look very healthy. The room is warm, but not very humid.

Thanks so much for all the advice!

[wheelerb7]

Sorry. Those pictures were to small.
Let me try again.