Limp and wrinkly phal leaves because of humidity?

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by mtessa

Yes, I used new orchiata bark. I didn't presoak it because their website states not to. I watered last Saturday and just watered again today as the bark did look a bit dry. I usually water weekly. I noticed that the some of the roots are not as plump when watered compared to before.

I use Orchiata bark for the majority of my Phals. It is a very fast-drying medium. Are yours in the type of pot where you can see the roots? It helps to be able to do that, because it's very easy to see when watering is needed: when those roots turn from green right after watering, to a silvery color. If you can't see the roots, the weight of the pot is a good indicator, too.

My house has low humidity in the winter, usually between 30 to 40 percent, occasionally a bit lower, and I do not use a humidifier. My plants seem to have adapted well over the years, but I water a lot more frequently than some others might, two to three times a week for most of them. The few that are not in Orchiata but, rather, a mix I got from a vendor (small fir bark, medium Perlite, and medium charcoal), retain water longer, and so are not watered quite as often as the ones in Orchiata.

I only have one that ever got wrinkly leaves, and I did an emergency repot on that one, and the leaves did recover, but it took a while (probably over a month, if I recall).

P.S. I have never soaked my Orchiata in the past, but the last time I bought it, I was unhappy with how dusty it seemed compared to the first couple batches I had gotten, so I'm rinsing it off very thoroughly before using it. I guess that serves almost the same purpose as soaking. But I've never had any issues with non-soaked Orchiata.

[mtessa]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

I use Orchiata bark for the majority of my Phals. It is a very fast-drying medium. Are yours in the type of pot where you can see the roots? It helps to be able to do that, because it's very easy to see when watering is needed: when those roots turn from green right after watering, to a silvery color. If you can't see the roots, the weight of the pot is a good indicator, too.

My house has low humidity in the winter, usually between 30 to 40 percent, occasionally a bit lower, and I do not use a humidifier. My plants seem to have adapted well over the years, but I water a lot more frequently than some others might, two to three times a week for most of them. The few that are not in Orchiata but, rather, a mix I got from a vendor (small fir bark, medium Perlite, and medium charcoal), retain water longer, and so are not watered quite as often as the ones in Orchiata.

I only have one that ever got wrinkly leaves, and I did an emergency repot on that one, and the leaves did recover, but it took a while (probably over a month, if I recall).

P.S. I have never soaked my Orchiata in the past, but the last time I bought it, I was unhappy with how dusty it seemed compared to the first couple batches I had gotten, so I'm rinsing it off very thoroughly before using it. I guess that serves almost the same purpose as soaking. But I've never had any issues with non-soaked Orchiata.

Thank you for the advice. Yes, they are all in clear orchid pots. I'm so worried about root rot that I may be underwatering. I also noticed that some orchiata are quite dusty. Orchiata from the original packaging seems to be a lot dustier than the repacked bags.

One of the phals is a cross by a local grower. He only has three of these cross left, including mine, so I want to keep it healthy.