Help! dying Phal and don't know why, newbie..

[akang622]

Hi, this is my first post to the forum, I have been enjoying reading all your posts and getting tips since I'm a newbie orchid owner. Hopefully one of you can help me with my dying orchid!

I bought a Phal (not sure which type but have attached a pic) about 2 weeks ago and appears to be dying. So far 3 -4 blooms have fallen off, and there are still several unbloomed buds. The buds that were partially opened when I purchase it are starting to look darker in color and are closing up. I noticed this about 3 days ago and so I checked the soil, which seemed really dry. I watered it with tap water, pouring it through the plant a few times until the water drained out of the bottom of the pot. But it does not seem to be getting better, actually seems even more weak. The leaves however, have not changed or wilted, and seem healthy.

The orchid has been sitting in my room on a table, with indirect sunlight coming from a window about 3 feet away (window on the east side). The orchid is potted in a clear plastic pot which has slits for air, and I have put it into a decorative orchid pot which also has air holes.


I've attached pictures, one is when it was brand new (looks perky and healthy), and the other pictures are all shots of its current condition (close up, and roots).

Thank you in advance for your help!

[quiltergal]

For some reason I can't get the first picture to open. At any rate, it's not uncommon for orchids to "blast" their buds and sometimes flowers when they are moved to an environment that is very different from what they are used to. If your plant came from a warm humid greenhouse to your home which is probably cooler and drier it's a bit of a shock to the plant. Once it acclimates itself to your home it should be fine. The plant itself looks healthy. If you start to see wrinkling in the leaves you have a problem. I can't tell from the last picture what kind of media it's potted in, but if it's moss I would repot ASAP. Phals IMO do better in coco or bark as it drains well and the roots don't stay too wet. Moss will work, but it has to be loose and fluffy in the pot and changed often.

[akang622]

Thanks Terri, my home is pretty dry and cool, so maybe it is just adjusting to the change. I'll wait and see how it does the next couple of days. Would you recommend putting it in more direct sunlight?

[Ross]

The most common ailment for those trying Phals is rot. Root rot in particular. Can't tell from the last photo how wet the plant is but if you are watering like every day, that might be the problem. The lower leaf in the first picture looks like rot to me. I could be wrong (often am ) I would do as Terri suggests and repot into really coarse bark or Coco chunks. Something that gets lots of air to the roots. These guys normally grow on trees with roots exposed and are really subject to rot when they don't get the fresh air they need at the roots. Just my 2 cents.

[akang622]

Thanks Ross, I ordered some bark mix last week and it should be coming in soon. I have another orchid and I am not sure if I should water it. The outer roots are whitish, while the ones inside the pot are green, and the moss inside if fairly moist. Do you think I should water it? And aftwerwards, should I leave it outside of the decorative pot for awhile to let it breathe?

Thanks!

[jhill]

I mounted my phal and its doing great you might want to consider mounting yours. If you do all you have to do is mist it every day and the roots will not rot so eaisly.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

How dry is your house? Is it below 50%, (check a barometer)? It may not be likely to be below 50% in your house, but I'd check anyways. If anything, I think the humidity in your house is likely between 50% - 60% which is fine. I grow mine around 50% - 70% humidity occassionally 100%.

Cool temperatures are bad for most Phals. I consider 50 degrees F to 70 degrees F cool.

Most Phals species and hybrids are intermediate to warm growing. Nothing below 55 degrees will be tolerated well if at all. I would also not grow them above 90 degrees F if the air circulation is rather poor.

Air circulation around the roots is very important. Root rot is very common with these orchids.

Phals potted in moss is also in my opinion not a very good choice. Moss retains moisture very well and can break down quickly in warm and wet/humid conditions.
Try potting in fir bark or better yet mount them if your house is humid enough.

I would also use RO/DI water instead of tap water. Prevents too much salts and minerals building up in the medium and the roots. Leaf burn could happen if there are too much salts and minerals in the water.

[datousteve]

Originally Posted by akang622

Thanks Ross, I ordered some bark mix last week and it should be coming in soon.

You ordered also? I thought you wanted some of the stuff I ordered. Guess not.

[CodiMN]

Judging by the pics, the buds themselves don't look like they are blasting to me. The current blooms just look like they are ready to expire.
As far as the one potted in moss, I'm glad you are going to repot it in bark, good call!