How to make my phalaenopsis orchid healthy again?

[zozoka_X]

Hello everyone,

I am a fairly new orchid owner I have had two phalaenopsis orchids (one white, one purple) for more than one year now.
One of my two orchids(white one)has done its blooming circle wonderfully, had full bloom in the last three months and is now growing very fast with new leaves spurting out and leaves and roots spurting out on the branch. This started happening more intensely when (after reading on it) I cut the branch that was completely dry and not supporting the plant anymore and actually I have left a part of it still in the plant not having completely removed it from the core of the plant just trimmed the top of the branch. I hope this makes sense.

So I am happy with one of them. The other one, bought at the same time I have been taking care of it in exactly the same manner as the other- I water them weekly just a tiny bit and include some orchid food in the water, just a bit again.

The second one has not bloomed since the first time it bloomed which was when I bought it. Its leaves started growing at some point and now have become again wrinkly and one of its leaves I decided to cut because it was completely dry and and yellow (maybe that was a mistake). However, I still have hope for this one as it has some new roots coming out of its core. I include pictures of the first one (one) and then the second one (two, one whole and one of its roots).
Any assessment advice on either one of them would be really appreciated as I do want to continue taking care of them

[cbuchman]

Phals should be watered thoroughly and ten allowed to get almost dry (never dry) before watering again. It is possible that your "a tiny bit" is not sufficient?

Since you can see the roots, you should water until they are green. As the roots dry out, they start to look white.

You also have a healthy keiki there with roots that are probably sufficient to support it being potted up on its own. The keiki is taking its nourishment from the parent plant, so mist it's roots often too.

Good Luck!

[tucker85]

Orchids like to get some air to the roots. There should be lots of drainage holes in the bottom of the pot but I also like to cut three or four holes around the side of the pot.

[zozoka_X]

Thank you both this is really useful to know and confirm what I already know.
Both pots have holes under them all round so I am guessing the roots are getting the air they need.

Cbuchman thanks for the advice, I think I will try to water the one that is a bit slow in growing a bit more and see what happens.

I will attempt to pot the keiki soon.

one other question what does it mean if the leaves have this tearing in the middle?

[RandomGemini]

Don't worry about the tearing leaves. The phal will drop its damaged leaves soon enough. No need to cut them, unless their status changes, then I would post a pic in the pests and diseases forum before cutting leaves, just because there might be another way of dealing with the issue. This tearing tho, is pretty normal for a dehydrated phal, I think. I have one doing the same thing right now. I saved it from my daughter's bedroom and when I asked her when was the last time she watered it she couldn't remember.

It happens. Don't worry. Just give it a good soak in a bucket of lukewarm water for about 15-30 minutes. Try to keep the water on the roots and off of the leaves when you do this. I wouldn't let the water level come up above the potting media in the pot.

For reference: Orchid roots needing to be watered look like this:



And when your roots are hydrated, they should look like this:



See how in the first image, the roots look kind of silvery green and in the second, they look like green beans? That green bean look is what you're going for when you water.

[zozoka_X]

Thanks Random Gemini. I did not know this about the roots and it is so helpful to know. I checked the colour of roots and I need to get watering!

[RandomGemini]

You're welcome!

Also:

To the Board!

[Island Girl]

What everyone said is great advice, and RandomGemini, great idea to post pics! I would also recommend that you read thru the thread: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html there is a lot of insight in that thread... It may take a little while to get thru it, but it's worth it. I think I remember someone saying that if you want a quick(er) overview of it, to read thru "King_of_orchid_growing"'s advice, he is very knowledgable, and gives good, straight-to-the-fact advice. Good Luck! And if you have anymore questions, we would all be very happy to help! This forum is wonderful, there are so many lovely, helpful, and very knowledgable people on here, and I'm sure that you will love it here, so please stick around!

And WELCOME to the O.B!!

[zozoka_X]

Hi Island girl,

Thanks so much for your post. I am very grateful to get all of this advice.
I am new to the site but I have had such a positive and welcoming experience up to now.
It is great to share my love for orchids with other like-minded people and hopefully develop my knowledge on how to take care of them properly.
Have to say, the advice though on watering has already worked I watered them (more than I used to) yesterday and they already look healthier and almost brighter (greener roots of course.

I look forward to reading and sharing with all of you.

[ridethespiral]

One thing to keep in mind is that the leaves won't return to their full glory after they've become dehydrated like that. I learned the hard way.