Phal Tetraspis C#1 Dehydration Issues

[turquoiseApples]

Hello Everyone,

I have a Phal. Tetraspis that I received in sphagnum moss. I repotted it into leca with a top layer of sphagnum moss (similar to my Phal. Belina which is doing well in the same medium). It did not have any issues and was growing fresh roots and a leaf and seemed happy overall. Until this May (summer, late 20 degree celsius) when it started to get dehydrated. I usually water once a week (since the leca stays moist for a while) and fertilize at half strength twice a month. Once I saw the dehydration, I started watering twice a week (the leca was not drying out completely but I was concerned about the dehydration). It did not seem to get better and I panicked and repotted it into sphag about two weeks back to increase humidity.

It seems like the orchid roots are unable to hydrate and are a little wrinkly. What is interesting is that it started producing a new leaf and two visible roots since the move to sphagnum moss.

The dehydrated leaves are not getting any better and I am concerned the new leaves will be affected soon as well. I am not sure what to do and would appreciate any advice to help my tetraspis surive!!

Thank you so much in advance.

[Roberta]

That old dehydrated leaf will not rehydryate, and will probably yellow and drop. It is the oldest leaf, so that is not alarming, just force of nature. Those new roots look excellent With the heat, and low humidity, this is not a good time to put this (or any orchid) on a "water diet". It seems to need the extra moisture (especially since those roots are small) When you repotted, were the mature roots in good condition? if they weren't, the plant is depending on those baby roots, so keeping it on the moist side will be helpful. With the new roots on the surface there is much less issue with rot - let them grow where they want to.

[turquoiseApples]

Sorry for delayed reply!

Thank you Roberta for getting back to me so quickly.

What scared me was the fact that 3 of my old leaves (Pictures 3 and 4 are of different leaves) were dehydrated! Luckily the 2 new ones were not. Other Phals that I have previously rescued have been able to recover from dehydration but they were complex hybrids. The tiny new leaf has since become bigger.

When I repotted, the mature roots were in good condition. I did not see any dead or dying roots. The parts of the root closer to the plant appeared a little wrinkly to me which made me wonder if the plant was somehow unable to absorb the moisture.

The tiny leaf has since grown and looks healthy. The tiny roots have also grown into the moss. I did take your advice and keep the plant on the moist side. I think it is doing better since the new leaves are not wrinkly. The oldest leaf has since yellowed and is about to drop. Overall, I think the plant is bouncing back.

[Roberta]

Glad to hear that the plant seems to be doing well! This is a fairly small plant (especially compared to those complex hybrids) you could be surprised fairly soon with flower spikes, Then the fun really begins, since every flower will be different.

[turquoiseApples]

Hi Roberta,

Thank you so much for your advice.

I just wanted to post an update in case anyone else faces the same issue.

My little tetraspis is doing much better. It suffered some setback and has been producing smaller leaves. But I think it is looking much better. It has produced lots of new roots and few small leaves.

No spikes yet. But, I am happy that the plant is looking better overall.

[jcec1]

If it was mine, I would put it in a much smaller pot - especially if growing it in moss.

I don't think the centre of the pot will dry out given the size of the plant, and I lose more phalaenopsis to root rot due to wet media than anything else.

[Roberta]

I have found that my species Phals actually do better in baskets - sphagnum dries out faster, roots get lots of air which they crave. The more mature plants I use bark in baskets, but I water a lot. So you do need to match your watering practice to the medium. Sphagnum has advantages (stays wet longer for people who want to water less often) and disadvantages (stays wet longer, can cause root rot if this goes on too long)

[turquoiseApples]

Thank you jcec1 and Roberta.

I forgot to mention that I moved it into a mix of bark and sphagnum couple of months back. I agree that the sphagnum was staying too moist. Bark alone causes the medium to dry out on the top very quickly at my end. I also make ventilation holes along the sides of my pot.

I feel like it has been doing much better since the move.