3 very deshydrated mini phals

[estación seca]

Making terminal spikes is normal though infrequent.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by SADE2020

But this behavior is normal, is it a genetic problem, or some source of lab Frankenstein (too much of this and that) ?

It is normal. At some point, a monopodial plant like a Phal may reach an internal "maximum size" - which will likely vary depending on genetics as well as culture. (Some species are more disposed to produce clumps, others to become tall.) But while some Phals can get quite large, I don't think that I have seen many that are 2 m. tall... there has to be some point where the growth strategy changes.

[SADE2020]

Update on these 3....now just 2, one of them die!!!



BTW: Do you know what purple spots are? They have gone from artificial light to sun, but their max. DC is 900-1100 Foot-candle.

[Roberta]

I think that they may have become a bit sun-burned. The light in the photos of your outside area is brighter than what they were getting - by quite a lot. Some more shading would be helpful.

[SouthPark]

The purple colour is most likely due to sun energy being a bit too much that the leaves can handle at this stage. Or approaching too much.

Probably best to give bright light - but not full/direct sun. Or if it is direct sun, then gently early morning direct sun ----- but still need to be careful, as some days of the year could have sun energy being much stronger than usual.

Or ----- if any orchid is going to be sun-tested, then some gradual sun-hardening is generally needed. Sun hardening in little steps.

[camille1585]

It might not be sun damage. I have/had (is now recovering) a Phal in similar condition, with few roots and floppy leaves. Despite being out of direct sun it has developed similar blotchy purple pigmentation. It is a dark red/purple flowered hybrid, and I wonder if it isn't simply a stress response.

[SouthPark]

The possible clue here is 'from artificial light to sun'. There's not 100% certainty in it ----- but should be considered.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

The possible clue here is 'from artificial light to sun'. There's not 100% certainty in it ----- but should be considered.

On my phone I didn't scroll far enough to see that line under the photo!

[estación seca]

What is your ambient humidity? I'm guessing very low. How big is the bark in the pots? They're not getting nearly enough water.

If you can't raise the humidity, I would take the sphagnum out of the pots, use that large bark only, and water them every day.

Phals do better with no direct sun. If you put your hand between the light source and the plant, and see an indistinct shadow, that is enough.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by camille1585

On my phone I didn't scroll far enough to see that line under the photo!

Only just noticed that! The line was hiding underneath the pic. Totally understandable!