Phal Leaves Yellow - New Growth - Orchid Board

kybasche · #1 05-10-2009, 10:59 AM

Howdy,

I have a baby Phal with some issues. When I received it, there were two leaves (~2.5" in length). Color seemed fine, and everything was dandy.

In December, a new leaf started popping through. A couple weeks later, los gatos got frisky with the plant one night and it ended up in the next room, out of its pot, completely bare root.

Two weeks later, one of the old leaves was gone, and the new leaf stopped growing.

3 or 4 weeks ago another leaf started pushing through. As you can see in the picture, another of the old leaves has since yellowed, and today came off.

Thoughts on my care-taking shortcomings would be most appreciated. Pictures below provide some visual distractions.

orchidegg · #2 05-10-2009, 12:13 PM

Can be normal for the old leaves to yellow and fall off. Other than the standard care guidelines and when the cats knocked the plant out - did the roots look ok? If so I wouldn't worry. The new leaves look good

kybasche · #3 05-10-2009, 12:51 PM

turn for the worse, as it were.

i decided to further inspect the roots.

and the larger of the remaining leaves fell victim to detachment. it had not yellowed... but it came off cleanly with no force.

roots are pictured below.

not having much experience with orchids, my eye is not accustomed to deciding the fate of such plants based on root inspection. but these don't look good to me.

recommendations for treatment options? if they exist.

D

kybasche · #4 05-10-2009, 12:53 PM

i should add... there are some sections of roots that are firm and green in colour (i realize this is sort of hard to tell from the size of the picture). the remaining roots are somewhat soft, brown/black in colour.

my guess is that the "anything but firm green" roots are done for. should be removed. and treated with something or other.

but what?

orchidegg · #5 05-10-2009, 01:01 PM

ooh, yea, brown mush that slides off the roots not good. Usually you can slide the outer brown much off leaving a little wiry remnant. I keep thes and remove brown mush. If the root is firm be it green, grey, or have some light brownish stuff or any ix of color thereof I usually leave it. You can try "sphag'n'bag" method. put the plant in a baggie with some sphag around the remaining root(s) mist lightly and put it in the shade and wait until new growth starts. Misting when getting dryish. Never done it myself but if you search here you'll find more info. Usually when my plants die there's no coming back...

Louder Than Hell · #6 05-10-2009, 01:02 PM

Now i'm not an expert but i've seen some phal. leafs droped because too old and they usually get yellow on the margins and then on the rest, plant sucks everything from it and leaf just dry off, falling.
Your first dropped leaf is yellow just on the middle, is that normal?

Kybasche note that roots in the inner part of the pot are usually white because they dont get any light, if they are firm they are fine.

RosieC · #7 05-10-2009, 01:19 PM

I agree that firm roots are fine, even if not green.

But that's one sick looking Phal. Is there any leaf left, is it just that very tiny center one?

I would guess that Phal is a gonna

If we could work out what caused the problem in the first place there might be a very very very slim chance of rescue, but I have no idea why a seemingly healthy leaf may have dropped off.

If there is any chance you need to remove the soft mushy roots, and douse in something. I think I've heard Hypochloride is the thing for rot, but I think you need someone to confirm that as I'm not sure.

Once the rot has been stopped then Sphag-n-bag would be the thing.
Sphag-n-Bag

But personally I don't think there is much chance for this one, sorry

mehitabel · #8 05-11-2009, 10:28 AM

Unless you have a very big reason for keeping this particular plant, (eg it cost you $500 and is irreplaceable) I believe you will do yourself a favor by tossing it.

My reason is this: sickly, ailing, slowly-dying orchids are a big downer. They reproach you every time you look at them, and they use up more mind-space than they are worth. Some of them are in such traits that you can resuscitate them, but then they promptly start downhill again (and then again and yeat again). Not worth it.

They are also pest magnets.

Chuck it and buy a big, healthy, phal glowing with health and vigor.

kybasche · #9 05-11-2009, 12:09 PM

It's interesting to think about the psychology of dying plants. I can certainly empathize with your point of view, as I've had at least a plant or two that followed the healthy/sick pattern for years.

At the same time, I like the idea that there's a chance. And I like that MAYBE there's something I can do. There are enough healthy looking plants on my windowsill that I can probably just hide the Phal until its doomsday, or resurrection.

If pests become an issue, it's gone. Certainly. But for right now, at least, I'm going to see what happens

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. If a miracle occurs, you all will be 3rd to know.

D