Phal. with Basal Keiki and Great Roots, but still Leaf Loss? - Orchid Board

drewtoby · #1 10-12-2015, 06:08 PM

I received this phal. about 2 weeks ago from south Florida (I live in central Ohio). This phal has loved water, so much so that I had to mix some spag in with the cocunut husks. I have had extremely minimal root rot while working to find the right mix (2 half inch segments of root ending), so I highly doubt there is an issue with the roots.

The issue: It came with a total of 10 leaves, 3 of which were yellow. As of now, the orchid has 8 leaves and 2 yellow ones (and signs of another leaf yellowing). All yellowing is occurring on the main plant.

Maybe it got too hot during shipping, as the phal it came with died of root damage. Or is the orchid just adjusting to its new environment and/or putting more resources towards its basal keiki? These (3) leaves have been growing pretty rapidly.

Sorry, I can't get the images the right side up

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-13-2015, 08:34 PM

While I have seen photos of Phals with a lot of leaves, I don't think it's very typical - might be too much to support with keikis ?
Hopefully some Phal experts can chime in.

wintergirl · #3 10-13-2015, 09:14 PM

I might think your plant is too wet, that is why your leaves are going yellow. Just my guess. Phals need to dry out. Go by the roots before watering. If they are green they are hydrated, don't water until they turn white. I'm talking about the roots down in the media, not any aerial ones.

estación seca · #4 10-13-2015, 11:14 PM

If the humidity was a lot higher in Florida than it is in your house now, the plant would have been able to support more leaves on its root system there than it can in your house.

Also, dramatic changes in light can cause Phals to drop leaves.

wintergirl · #5 10-13-2015, 11:27 PM

If it was a reduced humidity problem on Phals the leaves just get dry and lose their plumpness, they don't turn yellow in just 2 weeks.
It might be a light problem, but I tend to think coconut husks and spagh moss plus a lot of water is the problem. It's not drying out.

drewtoby · #6 10-14-2015, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wintergirl

If it was a reduced humidity problem on Phals the leaves just get dry and lose their plumpness, they don't turn yellow in just 2 weeks.
It might be a light problem, but I tend to think coconut husks and spagh moss plus a lot of water is the problem. It's not drying out.

Thanks. I have it in the vanda basket without medium. I'll probably mist it once every morning/every other morning depending on how the roots look.

wintergirl · #7 10-14-2015, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewtoby

Thanks. I have it in the vanda basket without medium. I'll probably mist it once every morning/every other morning depending on how the roots look.

Sounds good. Keep us posted

jason45244 · #8 10-15-2015, 01:29 AM

Definitely too much water retention going on there for a phal. It should thrive in the vanda basket bare root. I got a mini phal from trader joe's a while back and it had a bunch of sphag in the medium. I was too lazy to repot like I normally do, and now I have 3 basals so maybe you have the same issue going on. I think the yellowing leaves is probably a light issue.

drewtoby · #9 10-15-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason45244

Definitely too much water retention going on there for a phal. It should thrive in the vanda basket bare root. I got a mini phal from trader joe's a while back and it had a bunch of sphag in the medium. I was too lazy to repot like I normally do, and now I have 3 basals so maybe you have the same issue going on. I think the yellowing leaves is probably a light issue.

Okay. I moved my plants around and now have it closest to the window (in addition to a new phal with 10 leaves from Cali--completing my plant collection unless if something dies). I doubt it will do much with Ohio's light (candles might work better on the cloudy days

). Hopefully it will help some--I was hesitant to do so because its a SE window.

jason45244 · #10 10-15-2015, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewtoby

Okay. I moved my plants around and now have it closest to the window (in addition to a new phal with 10 leaves from Cali--completing my plant collection unless if something dies). I doubt it will do much with Ohio's light (candles might work better on the cloudy days

). Hopefully it will help some--I was hesitant to do so because its a SE window.

If the SE window seems like it is beginning to be too much light, try hanging a sheer curtain. I have one for those intense summer days, but now with the days getting shorter everything is ok. Best of luck to ya!

---------- Post added at 04:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:47 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by drewtoby

(in addition to a new phal with 10 leaves from Cali--completing my plant collection unless if something dies).

Lol we'll see! I've said this to myself quite a few times.