Phalaenopsis leaf not opening

[Fuerte Rav]

Hi all
A couple of my Phals have both grown a new leaf but the leaf has not opened, they are a bit like a blade. Any ideas what might have caused this? And what can I /should I do about it? I'm most concerned about the effect it may have on further new leaves.


All my other Phals (26 of them) are happily growing new leaves as normal. They all grow in the same conditions in SH. No sign of any pests.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

[estación seca]

Sometimes this just happens.

I don't think it's related to relative humidity because mine open leaves even when it is very low, like now.
97°F/36°C
Humidity 7%
Wind Speed W 10 MPH
Barometer 29.7 in (1005.76 mb)
Dewpoint 24°F (-4°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi

Of course it's more humid in the house with the various beasts breathing.

[Fuerte Rav]

Thanks ES.
The RH in their room is pretty constant around 60% and temp pretty constant at 28C day and 24C night for the last couple months. All the other phals' leaves have grown normally.
Do you think I should try to open them manually? I'm concerned about the next new leaf getting trapped inside.

[Roberta]

I suspect that the next new leaf may force it open... I'd really hesitate to force it unless there is evidence of the next one getting trapped (like a fat leaf base that doesn't show signs of letting go. But then, my inclination is usually to be cautious in second-guessing a plant, since I have been wrong and done damage when I did. So my vote is just to keep an eye on it.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Fuerte Rav

Do you think I should try to open them manually?

I would try. I've done it in several occasions. First I try to put the tip of a sheet of paper in a location where the leaf is slightly open and then slide it gently. To make thing easier, sometimes I wet the edge of the leaf to clean some of the stick sap that eventually might be "glueing" the leaf.

[Fuerte Rav]

Divided opinions!

OK, tomorrow I will try opening one. The other I will leave alone.

Thanks all for your input.

[tmoney]

wierd! a couple of our seedling are growing leaves like this. i thought it might be the type, since i am only seeing in in one cross, but in 2 different plants of the grex.

wasn't sure what to do, or why it happened, and i was gonna wait before i posted here. so thanks!!!!

i may try the paper trick.

what phals is it happening with?? just curious if there is a genetic component or if this is entirely environmental

[Fuerte Rav]

life got in the way so I didn't try opening a leaf today, perhaps tomorrow.
All my phals are NOIDs, some normal size and some minis. It's one normal and one mini that are playing silly buggers.

(life got in the way = new, unopened carton of fruit juice leaked on top shelf of fridge, managed to trickle all the way down. Took me 6 hours to empty, dismantle shelves and drawers, clean and dry everything and get it all back in place. Not best pleased )

[estación seca]

You have dogs. Just put the shelves on the floor.

[Fuerte Rav]

Originally Posted by estación seca

You have dogs. Just put the shelves on the floor.

Hmm, don't think my terrier goes much for fruit juice. It's another matter when I'm loading the dishwasher ....

I had a closer look at the closed leaves today and there is no hint of a gap anywhere so I've left well alone for now.