Oldest leaf dries up when new leaf grows
 

Three out of the four Phals that I have have started this season to have the oldest leaf wrinkle, dry up and fall off when the new leaf is growing. Plants all look healthy and one has put out a spike. All have healthy roots and I have not changed my watering pattern or amount of light they receive. I have had them for almost 7 years and it's heartbreaking to see the largest, oldest leaf disappear. I am posting a picture of one of them which now has 7 leaves left. She actually lost two leaves for one of the new ones last go round. The last photo is her keiki which is also loosing the olderst leaf with a new one growing. Any suggestions?

I've heard that higher humidity can help the plant support more leaves at one time. How's your humidity?

I live in South Florida, so pretty high.

The leaves don't last forever. Eventually they get old and die. Your plants look fine. You say one has 7 leaves left? That's awesome, lots of Phals never have that many! If the roots are good, humidity is good and the media doesn't look old and rotten, I'd say keep up the good work :)

Thank you silken, that makes me feel better. As long as it's what is normal, I'm okay with it. I thought eventually they would have at least 10 to 12 leaves which is why I was concerned. Now I'll be able to enjoy my Phal and wait for that spike to produce flowers.

mine do this too, perfectly normal

The old leaves die eventually, but if you are supplying plenty of water, light, humidity, and nutrients the plant will keep them longer. I have Phals with 10 leaves and some with 3.

As long as a new big healthy leaf grows out, I wouldn't worry about it. If the new leaf is smaller than the older ones, you might have a problem.

I've heard many people say that leaves always die when new ones grow. It's not true that it always happens but it's quite normal.

7 leaves on one of them is plently, I have several with just 3 or 4 as well and they seem quite happy.

I think it can all depend on the particular orchid and the enviroment it's in, I have three orchids which seem intent on becoming massive. They grow new leaves and vigorously and don't drop the old ones. Others (in the same conditions) will stick at just 3/4 leaves and do just as yours and drop old leaves as new ones grow.

I think it can depend of root mass because one I have that used to have 9 leaves then had root problems and can now only support 3 leaves, dropping the old leaves as new ones grow... but I think it also depends on the plant because some of mine have massive healthy root systems and do the same thing.

I'm not sure if you can see it well in the picture but her roots seem large, silvery with great points at the end. Under the new leaf you can see a new root starting and there are two others of the same size starting on the other side. Leaf color is good and they may be a little wider than the old leaves but they are not as long.
Ben, what does it indicate if they are not as long?

If a new leaves are not as big as older ones, it could be a sign something is wrong with the roots and/or the plant isn't getting something it needs. I've had plants where each new leaf is a little smaller than the last, and I found out the hard way that it was due to be repotted.

I note on looking again that your pots look VERY big. They seem too big for the size of the plants.

You usually want pots which are just a little bigger than the root mass, just big enough to fit it in. Sometimes roots can struggle if the pot and therefore amount of medium is too much.

RosieC, you are one step ahead of me again! :) was just going to comment that the pots looked a bit big. Also if the leaves are nice and wide and good size but shorter than old ones, maybe your plant is getting a bit more light and they aren't stretching out as much looking for light. I find mine continue to grow for a long time too.

This orchid is 7 years old and I have never fertilized her. Do you think that might be the problem? If so, how do you fertilize without "burning" the plant. Any fertilizer that is especially good for Phals?

Rosie C. and silken, the pot is big but her roots are so wide that it was the only thing big enough to hold her. I repotted her about a year ago. Maybe I should put her in a smaller, Vanda type basket.

If the roots fill the pot then it should be fine.

Fertiliser is a good idea. I don't know what is available where you are as I'm in the UK, but the rule of thumb is 'weakly weekly' to avoid burning the roots. So basically rather than strongly once a month you should fertilise every week using a weak solution.

I believe any Balanced fertiliser can be used, Urea free is best. Ray has a calculator on his website to help calculate a good strenght for weekly fertilisation. Fertilizer Mixing Calculators

He also has some good info on how to fertilise, take a look at the links here. First Rays' Free Info

Rosie, thanks for the site, it is very helpful. I've heard so many horror stories about orchids being burned by fertilizer that I was afraid to feed them. My oldest plants are 7 years old and have never been fertilized and yet they bloom very heavily. This year the one I started this thread for has given me one spike that is going to go into bloom earlier than mid January which is what she has done for six years. Now she has started a second spike which she has never done before. Should I wait and fertilize when she has done blooming or do you feed your Phals year round? She has a special meaning for me so I don't want to do anything that might cause her demise. I have attached photos of the first spike and the new one.

I feed year round. I've seen Ray say that a blooming plant should be thought of like a pregnant woman... it's NOT a good time to stave her of food!

I'm going to give the fertilizer a try. It's logical to feed the plant, I'm just a little afraid of overdoing it. I'll start with half strength and see what happens to my "pregnant" orchid. Thanks Rosie!