Phalaenopsis that I think is dehydrated?!

[Iwantosavemyorchids]

Hi! I’m a new mom of orchids. I have some cattleyas and denphals. But I can’t keep a phal alive! Ik they came from suspicious places (supermarket), but I starting to think that I’m a vicious murder of phals (I lost already two).

So what do you think it is happening? I live in Brazil and here is very hot and high humidity. My phal is planted on pinus, leca and some moss on top. I didn’t find a small vase with clear plastic to repot, so I clenched the one it came with and used again.

Important to know: I reported it when I bought. She developed a new leaf under my care. I didn’t see new roots, but the ones that she has don’t look bad (like rotting). Theee if the aerial roots are shriveling, despite I’m trying to keep the moisture around the vase. And leaves started to have some wrinkles.

[Roberta]

First, Welcome!

I think that first, remove the sphagnum moss. With your humidity, you need to be sure that the plant has a chance to dry out somewhat (but not completely dry) between waterings. How often do you water? When you water, you should do it thoroughly, let the water flow through the pot, then drain well. If the mix is open (the bark and leca should do that) then it will dry out fairly fast. So then it will be time to water again. (The roots want "humid air" not "wet") It is much better to have an environment that dries out fast, and water more often, than to have one that stays wet and gets watered less often. When you let water run though the pot, it pulls air behind it, and also flushes out "junk" and fertilizer salts.

A helpful trick to know when to water is to weigh the plant on a kitchen scale or postal scale right after you water it, then weigh the next day and the next.... when the rate of weight loss goes down (not much more water to evaporate) it's time to water again.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

How often are you watering? I agree with what Roberta said but the plant looks like it didn't get enough water.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Iwantosavemyorchids

Hi! I’m a new mom of orchids. I have some cattleyas and denphals. But I can’t keep a phal alive! Ik they came from suspicious places (supermarket), but I starting to think that I’m a vicious murder of phals (I lost already two).

So what do you think it is happening? I live in Brazil and here is very hot and high humidity. My phal is planted on pinus, leca and some moss on top. I didn’t find a small vase with clear plastic to repot, so I clenched the one it came with and used again.

Important to know: I reported it when I bought. She developed a new leaf under my care. I didn’t see new roots, but the ones that she has don’t look bad (like rotting). Theee if the aerial roots are shriveling, despite I’m trying to keep the moisture around the vase. And leaves started to have some wrinkles.

maybe leathery means not enough water IN LEAF, means roots are not healthy getting water to leaf. clip out black ones, strings, mushy ones, etc. meaning, remove or hid from medium, change medium, get a better pot, too, maybe. if it doesn’t have tons of airholes, all around sides and bottom, you might can create them… like with a soldering iron, if so, DO THAT OUTSIDE IT OPEN AIR, smelling melting plastic is not at all healthy!!!

so, if that is the case, then it could lead you to overwater, dry is better than wet, afaik, phals don’t like their feet always wet. …of course, it may need some food and water, of course, after you check those things and put it back dry, but then let it dry out a bit.

i’m a novice, hopefully the experts are here. this forum is awesome!

oh, looking up… the experts are already here! GOOD LUCK!

[Iwantosavemyorchids]

Originally Posted by Roberta

First, Welcome!

I think that first, remove the sphagnum moss. With your humidity, you need to be sure that the plant has a chance to dry out somewhat (but not completely dry) between waterings. How often do you water? When you water, you should do it thoroughly, let the water flow through the pot, then drain well. If the mix is open (the bark and leca should do that) then it will dry out fairly fast. So then it will be time to water again. (The roots want "humid air" not "wet") It is much better to have an environment that dries out fast, and water more often, than to have one that stays wet and gets watered less often. When you let water run though the pot, it pulls air behind it, and also flushes out "junk" and fertilizer salts.

A helpful trick to know when to water is to weigh the plant on a kitchen scale or postal scale right after you water it, then weigh the next day and the next.... when the rate of weight loss goes down (not much more water to evaporate) it's time to water again.

Idk how exactly to replay here lol! Let’s see: I repoted like one or two weeks ago. Leca and pines dry so fast that k still don’t know how often I should put water. Last week I tried every three days and it looks too be not enough. This week I was trying every two. Still it looks like not enough?? Maybe I should try every day? I fertilize like one day per week and every month with one in the roots (bokashi). I’ll remove the moss and try more water everyday? Maybe some pebbles under the put with water?

---------- Post added at 04:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------

Originally Posted by tedro

maybe leathery means not enough water IN LEAF, means roots are not healthy getting water to leaf. clip out black ones, strings, mushy ones, etc.

so, if that is the case, then it could lead you to overwater, dry is better than wet, afaik, phals don’t like their feet always wet. …of course, it may need some food and water, of course, after you check those things and put it back dry, but then let it dry out a bit.

i’m a novice, hopefully the experts are here. this forum is awesome!

oh, looking up… the experts are already here! GOOD LUCK!

I was worried about the roots too. That’s why i repoted. At that moment (and the ones I can see from the top that are inside the vase) aren’t looking bad. They are yellow (cuz they never saw the sun) but otherwise, they are firm and not mushy or brown. I wanted to see roots growing? For sure! But the one that she has are so far so good. Unless, the aerial ones. Three of them are wrinkled. One a lil above looks good. I can’t see pest, marks, dots or something that could be disease. But I’ll keep both of eyes there! I lost two for rot root, but they came sick (I didn’t know how to pick lol).

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:32 PM ----------

Originally Posted by estación seca

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

How often are you watering? I agree with what Roberta said but the plant looks like it didn't get enough water.

Im still trying to figure out the time! I tried every three days, not enough. Two days, not enough. I’ll go everyday I think lol. She’s on leca and pinus and my daylight is almost 12h of sun and the temperature is easy 27°-30°. Lil hell lolol.

[tedro]

remove moss and sphagnum. change to drier medium. water per 3 days once (2 waters) and wait as long as you can to dry. phals appear to be very sturdy. wait as long as you think you can, then work back. i’ll venture a guess, no more than every 3 days.

and no water in crown. or on leaves, imho.
air roots, ok.

did you say: outside, always hot and humid? so better watch it. maybe in dry pass through medium, it could be 2 days. that, i do not know.

also you begin to feel and to know, somewhat, wet weight vs dry weight. at least helps you get close, you can still wait. <— i made a pun!



---------- Post added at 03:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Iwantosavemyorchids

Idk how exactly to replay here lol! Let’s see: I repoted like one or two weeks ago. Leca and pines dry so fast that k still don’t know how often I should put water. Last week I tried every three days and it looks too be not enough. This week I was trying every two. Still it looks like not enough?? Maybe I should try every day? I fertilize like one day per week and every month with one in the roots (bokashi). I’ll remove the moss and try more water everyday? Maybe some pebbles under the put with water?

---------- Post added at 04:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:26 PM ----------



I was worried about the roots too. That’s why i repoted. At that moment (and the ones I can see from the top that are inside the vase) aren’t looking bad. They are yellow (cuz they never saw the sun) but otherwise, they are firm and not mushy or brown. I wanted to see roots growing? For sure! But the one that she has are so far so good. Unless, the aerial ones. Three of them are wrinkled. One a lil above looks good. I can’t see pest, marks, dots or something that could be disease. But I’ll keep both of eyes there! I lost two for rot root, but they came sick (I didn’t know how to pick lol).

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:32 PM ----------



Im still trying to figure out the time! I tried every three days, not enough. Two days, not enough. I’ll go everyday I think lol. She’s on leca and pinus and my daylight is almost 12h of sun and the temperature is easy 27°-30°. Lil hell lolol.

all i know anything about is phal.
air roots do look a bit wrinkly… got a pic?




ps. bark doesn’t hold much water, unless maybe you water by 1 hour soak method, i never have with only one phal. but i do/am use bark.
i’d say no to pebbles. but that’s just me.

maybe you have too much heat. hmmm….. idk about that. seems to down in the lower swamp, where they come from (?) there is some coolness.

but don’t let phal stay wet more than an hour, i think. keep her feet dry, too.not staying damp or wet.

try that Repotme store. if you have access. rePotme Orchid Supplies

[Iwantosavemyorchids]

I add some pics of the roots. One is fine, two are odd. lol.

[Roberta]

Don't repot again, I think that you have a good mix. Use the "weight" trick to figure out how often to water, and water thoroughly when you do. The new, open mix will dry out fast - and that is good, especially with your high humidity. The existing roots may not be all that great, but the plant will produce new ones, Those newest roots, that were growing in air, particularly need a good bath - water them until they turn green, when they turn silver they are ready for more. Until hydration settles in (and the new medium stays a bit wetter) that could mean daily watering - water well, wait maybe a half hour, then water again. That should help. Don't worry too much about fertilizer at this point... the plant is growing slowly, so needs very little. Fertilizer is the least-important cultural factor... get everything else right first.

[Iwantosavemyorchids]

Thx!!! I’ll try it and the trick! I hope come back soon with good news! You guys are amazing!

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Iwantosavemyorchids

I add some pics of the roots. One is fine, two are odd. lol.

those look good to me. medium looks fine, too.
i think youre in good shape -/ definitely in good hands here.

i like loads of holes in pot, but definitely underside, imho.
even with lots holes, i still dump out repeatedly as part of watering, after.

the thing is, that i havent had enough experience (1 phal drivin the car!) … i tried last time and had to go back… that is: the more faster drying time, watering technique = how much … convenient or not is key… more watering. whereas, if i could mix the dern sphagnum “right” i could maybe do the 1 hr soak ONCE A MONTH. wow. i want that!