My phal is blooming but the leaves are yellowing - help please!

[jzindenver]

I received a phal in Feb and have managed to get another bloom (yeah!!). The bottom two leaves yellowed and fell off on Tuesday, which I hear may be normal, but now the next level of leaves is starting to yellow as well.

I live in in a very dry climate at high altitude (Denver) and have place pebbles at the bottom of the outer pot to act as a humidifier. I have a few nice white roots but several brown shriveled roots on the surface. (See image).

My question then: Do I trim the leaves? Trim the dead roots? Repot? This orchid was a gift and is very sentimental to me - I don't want to lose it!

[orchidexpress]

sounds like you need to change the mix.
Also straight hydrogen peroxide will stop the rot.

Happy Growing!

[Kaykay]

Hiya,
From what you've said it sounds to me like you should check how the roots are under the surface of the pot. If they are bad (soft, dark) then overwatering is probably your problem. If they are green and firm, then get back to us! Don't panic, and as long as you have at least a leaf and a root, then your plant can be saved, so yours is not in such a bad place at the moment!

If it is overwatering, then I would suggest cutting the spike off and putting it in water so you can enjoy the blooms, but the plant can put its energy into recovering, then sorting out the roots under the surface- repotting, getting rid of the bad ones and treating (check on this board, there are lots of threads about how to do this) and then holding back from the water a bit to encourage your phal to put out roots (while keeping humid). If there are few good roots left, then the Sphag and Bag seems the way forward (google and you'll find a tutorial, or again other threads here are helpful!)

I'm sure others will dive in as well to give you some good tips, but make sure you give those roots a check first!
Kay

[playtime8978]

I have had this problem with a Phal equestris var alba I donated to my mom to look after while it was in flower My mom said a leaf had yellowed and died and I thought nothing of it, just assumed it was an old leaf, When I went down the other day I saw it had another yellow leaf and only one green one on one portion ( basal keiki and mother plant in one pot) We inspected the plant and there is no sign of crown rot or rotting of the roots and then we noticed it was throwing up a third flower spike the plant has been in flower for months and just keeps on going and now is at it again with this 3rd spike, then it hit me! I havent taken any feed down to my mom so the plant has not been fed in all the time she has had it so I am assuming the plant is very hungry and draining itself through putting out so many flower spikes, we fed it when we were there so I am gonna wait and see how it does, anyway enough rambling my point is, how often have you fed this orchid and what with? Is there a chance the plant is underfed and putting all its energy into the flowering spike to the detriment of the plant?

[jzindenver]

I come from a long line of successful orchid cultivators but am very novice myself. I'm a little embarrased - I haven't fed it at all! What should I give it? We are very short of good garden stores around here so it may have to be something I order online?

[Becky15349]

It looks a little dark in there - it may not like where it is.

The yellowing of the two bottom leaves is ok...sometimes this happens if it doesn't like where it is growing. How are the roots?

If you start to get yellowing in the topmost leaves, then its crown rot...that is not easy to recover.

Here is what I would do: Check the roots, see how they are. Maybe it could use a repotting if its media is broken down. Maybe try giving it some more light also - they can take a small bit of sun, but only in the morning before the rays get too hot. Maybe sure you aren't causing any rot by keeping a small fan near the plant to help it dry out after you water. Finally, don't overwater! If the plant isn't getting that much sun, I would only water it only 7-10 days.

[playtime8978]

I have a couple of orchid fertilisers that I give but at my moms as we had no orchid fertiliser I gave it regular plant food at about 1/2-1/4 strengh some people use miracle grow for food at 1/4-1/2 strengh but I feel more comfortable with an orchid fert as I can give it at the strengh stated on the packaging, I am far from an exxpert on orchids and their care so someone else might be able to give you good advice on the feeding they like very little fertiliser but they do need some low strengh a balanced one I believe is a good all round one.

[Pilot]

Originally Posted by jzindenver

I come from a long line of successful orchid cultivators but am very novice myself. I'm a little embarrased - I haven't fed it at all! What should I give it? We are very short of good garden stores around here so it may have to be something I order online?

Short of good garden stores???? nay...

A.
Paulino Gardens
- Paulino Gardens | Denver, Colorado - (303) 429-8062 - 10 reviews
B.
O'Toole's Garden Center
- O'Toole's Garden Center - (303) 232-6868 - 3 reviews
C.
Echter's Greenhouse & Gardens
- Echter's Nursery & Garden Center - (303) 424-7979 - 8 reviews
D.
Country Fair Garden
- Country Fair Garden Center - Colorado - (303) 757-4949 - 4 reviews
E.
Tagawa Garden Center
- Tagawa Gardens, One of Colorado's Largest Garden Centers - (303) 690-4722 - 15 reviews
F.
Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop
- Wild Birds Unlimited - Bird Feeder, Bird Food, Birdhouse, Bird Bath, hummingbirds - (303) 987-1065 - 4 reviews
G.
Better Earth Lawns
- Better Earth Lawns - 100% Organic Lawn Care! - (303) 692-0968 - More
H.
City Floral Greenhouse
- City Floral Garden Center :: Denver Colorado - (303) 399-1177 - 3 reviews
I.
Welby Garden
- Hardy Boy Bedding Plants - (303) 287-0365 - 1 review
J.
Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market
- Call us today at (303) 696-6657 | 2001 South Chambers Road Aurora, CO 80014 -

I can personally vouch for Nick's and Tagawas-- both 1st rate centers!!!

Oh yeah and Fantasy Orchids which is in Longmont, I think. A long drive but WELL worth it.

[Masdyman]

From observations from the pictures ,the plants mixture looks very dry , so is it getting too dry before being watered then possibly sitting in water in the decorative pot ?

[jzindenver]

No, it has large pebbles in the base to keep it from sitting in water. I am very careful of this