Continuing education…

[lambo1972]

Hello all! I am having an absolute blast on orchid board and appreciate your comments while learning more about orchids. I have a question for the sake of continuing my knowledge. So if you can see the pics, what would cause the leaves on this mini phal to fold and split? This orchid was planted in moss. I have had it for several years and it would rebloom. It grew long air roots and I might have lost some roots in the moss but can’t remember. Again, as I continue to learn, I decided to repot. Put in it a fine bark mix. Also this orchid had a change of venue from my house east windowsill to a work west windowsill. I don’t think it get any direct sun and I have shaded it a little with the blinds so not as bright. Temps may be slightly different too. The plant has grown a few roots and it looks like a flower stem peeking out that you can see on the right of the stem in one of the pics. Just wanna know what causes this leaf issue. Orchids are fun! Thank you!

[rbarata]

I don't understand what you mean by "split".

[DeaC]

Well, plant may have to adjust to now being in bark. Try raising humidity and keeping a bit warmer. I was always a user of humidity trays but now think they're overrated and just use them to keep drips off the furniture. But I do use humidifiers once the hot air heat cranks up. With the sun lower in the sky I'm not worried about my plants getting burned in a south window so perhaps you can still grow in your east window.

[lambo1972]

Originally Posted by rbarata

I don't understand what you mean by "split".

The two bottom leaves not only folded but split an inch or two starting at the tip...

[Relemitty]

I have a few Phal leaves that are split from the tip up the middle.
This was always my fault.
I hit the leaf against something as I was watering in the sink.

[rbarata]

In my experience it's usually one of the two (or both): underwatering and low humidity.

[lambo1972]

Originally Posted by rbarata

In my experience it's usually one of the two (or both): underwatering and low humidity.

Thank you! It's pretty humid here in Alabama except that maybe when the heat is on. Within days of being repotted, this orchid's leaves began folding. I've never seen that before.It seems to have stopped and has sprouted a few new roots and possibly a flower stem. Weird!

[rbarata]

When repoting with bark, watering frequency must be increased for some time as new bark is hydrophobic. It takes some time for it to start absorbing the ideal amount of water.
Probably the new roots are searching for the missing water.

[Dimples]

To me it looks dehydrated and like it’s been that way for awhile. The air roots, while green when wet, look somewhat shriveled and the leaves look slightly limp with the telltale lines running the length of them. Prolonged dehydration makes the leaves more susceptible to damage than they normally would be. Sounds like the plant is growing new roots so it should be ok. I second the suggestion that you’ll likely need to water much more often in fresh bark, and especially when moving a Phal from moss to bark.

[lambo1972]

Originally Posted by Dimples

To me it looks dehydrated and like it’s been that way for awhile. The air roots, while green when wet, look somewhat shriveled and the leaves look slightly limp with the telltale lines running the length of them. Prolonged dehydration makes the leaves more susceptible to damage than they normally would be. Sounds like the plant is growing new roots so it should be ok. I second the suggestion that you’ll likely need to water much more often in fresh bark, and especially when moving a Phal from moss to bark.

Thank you! I did not know to water more when going from moss to bark. Learning more and more thanks to everyone!