I think my phal is trying to commit suicide - Orchid Board

CoolPhrog · #1 12-01-2007, 12:27 PM

can someone please tell me what's wrong with this poor thing, her leaves are wilted and leathery. I've re-potted it and water/feed it as has been suggested to no avail - now it's putting up a bloom spike as well as new foliage and I'm worried she's going to kill herself trying to bloom...please someone tell me how save her

GreggC · #2 12-01-2007, 12:57 PM

like? Did you have to remove any dead ones? If so, were there enough left to support the plant? Just curious.

Dorothy · #3 12-01-2007, 01:10 PM

Well you have done all you have to help it ..
What is your watering routine? Be sure not to overwater it.
I let my hybrid phals go from 5 - 7 days before I soak them. I water my species phal every 3 - 4 days depending on much the medium holds the moisture (determined by the relative humidity)
What kind of light are you growing it under? You may need to gradually move it to a stronger light source .. not direct sunlight, mind you, as you can easily burn the leaves.

Ross · #4 12-01-2007, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorothy

You may need to gradually move it to a stronger light source .. not direct sunlight, mind you, as you can easily burn the leaves.

Good advice. I like to provide my Phal with as high light as I can given the outside conditions. Never full sun, but dappled sun is OK - you know, spots of sunlight here and there? That's after I get back in the house from snowblowing (and put on my clothes)

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...html#post67620

flhiker · #5 12-01-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsfrid

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...html#post67620

I expect it from the Ladies but not you Ross

Please! say it isn't so.

"Tony"

Ross · #6 12-01-2007, 01:36 PM

It isn't so --- It's Dorothy, can you imagin? That's really a picture of Dorothy

Dorothy · #7 12-01-2007, 02:27 PM

I don't smoke cigars ..

mayres · #8 12-01-2007, 02:33 PM

With as big of bark as it looks like from the pic (is it all that size down to the bottom?) your plant could be suffering from dehydration (not enough water). Unless your humidity is very high the roots may not be able to get enough water to properly sustain your plant in that media - especially if it is a quality of bark that is not absorbing and retaining water well. Depending upon your conditions you might consider a media that is less porous. Sometimes when repotting into bark like this you need to actually soak the media and roots for a good period of time until the bark gets in a water retaining mode - maybe a good 20-30 minutes or more each time you water for a few months.

Ross · #9 12-01-2007, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mayres

With as big of bark as it looks like from the pic (is it all that size down to the bottom?) your plant could be suffering from dehydration (not enough water). Unless your humidity is very high the roots may not be able to get enough water to properly sustain your plant in that media - especially if it is a quality of bark that is not absorbing and retaining water well. Depending upon your conditions you might consider a media that is less porous. Sometimes when repotting into bark like this you need to actually soak the media and roots for a good period of time until the bark gets in a water retaining mode - maybe a good 20-30 minutes or more each time you water for a few months.

Just as a reference, here is my latest to spike

It's like this to the bottom of the pot. Phals don't like heavy wetness and don't mind coarse bark because they like air around their roots. Just my opinion and direct observations.

sjMagoo · #10 12-01-2007, 03:16 PM

One of my phals looked like this when I rescued it and I thought it was a goner. But hang in there - it is a slow process to "rehydrate" those leaves and bring it back to health. I think I'd cut the spike to let the plant concentrate on it's roots and leaves.

Beautiful foliage, by the way!