Phal help growing well but old decrepit leaves.

[krienschmidt]

Hi again all and thank you for reading my post. I have a Phal I pretty much saved from death last year. It was near dead when I decided to repot last summer. 95% of it's roots were dead, but it still had 2 or 3 little nubs left. I put it in clear plastic to watch root development and I am now happy to say it is on its 4th new leaf coming in and several nice green new roots. However there are still 2 bottom old leaves from when it was sick last year. They are both pretty decrepit, getting dark green and limp. Is it worth keeping them on the plant or would it be better to trim them off? Thank you for your thoughts.

[Orchid Whisperer]

If they are green, they are feeding the plant & contributing to its recovery. I would leave them until they begin to yellow, or show signs of disease - then you can remove them (use a sharp flame - sterilized & cooled knife)

[krienschmidt]

Thank You! Been growing for about 15 months, still learning soooo much.

[Optimist]

Phal leaves will eventually die. The very bottom leaves will go yellow and fall off. I feel that you should allow nature to take its course. Phals have no pseudobulbs, and therefore, the leaves are the only food storage organs it has. It is better not to remove the leaves for any reason unless they are diseased.

[estación seca]

Congratulations on the great save!

I leave my old Phal leaves on until they fall off on their own. Some people don't want to see ugly leaves, but I don't mind that much. I might take them off for a show. I'm not going to win many ribbons at our show because we have an amazing Phal hybridizer here in our club:

Phoenix Orchids

[krienschmidt]

Well my old Phal leaves seemed to have a new life suddenly! I do a lot of reading as I'm still learning so much. I read some advice here on the site about flopping Paph leaves that said make sure you give it a little calcium???? New to me but figured I'd give it a shot since I have never tried it. Got a small bottle of plant food with calcium and magnesium. Gave it to the recovering Phal, I can't believe how those bottom two leaves firmed up! I am now going to make sure I test my water.