Lighting and a recovering Phal - Orchid Board

MothLover · #1 04-24-2008, 11:59 PM

Back in January, I bought my first Phal. It wasn't in bloom, but I'm a patient individual, so I wasn't really that concerned. The foliage was healthy, and that was all that mattered to me. (This was prior to knowing what to look for in a plant, mind you.)

After having it at home for a few weeks, I noticed that the leaves were wilting, pleating, and getting kinda squishy. So I hopped onto the internet to find some help (and that's how I became a member here.) After researching, I instinctively unpotted it and looked at the roots. I found that more than half of them rotted, but I found it in time to still have a pretty nice root system (all things considering.) So I put it into a spag-n-bag type of environment. Well, after about three days in the shaded warm environment, the plant started to mold. I panicked, and took it out of the bag and rinsed it off. I planted it into a bark mix, and it's been doing quite well. It's developed some new little roots, and most of the pleating in the leaves has gone away. (or at least it's not so severe...)

My real question is... Ever since I got the plant, the leaves have been kind of dark. I know that the color of foliage in phals varies with the type of phal, but I want to make sure that I'm adequately caring for it. I also didn't want to stress it since it is still recovering from rot. It's a pink Phal. Wedding Promenade. Any and all opinions are appreciated.

Here are some pictures of the plant. One of it's stem and new roots, and one of the foliage.

Bird Song Farm · #2 04-25-2008, 08:28 AM

Hi,
Your phal. doesn't look to bad at all. The new root growth indicates that it is recovering and that you are doing something right. LOL

The leaves do look a bit dark but it could be the photo or my monitor. If you are really concerned, increase the light just a bit and see if it makes a difference. I have phals growing and blooming with leaves darker than these and pink phal leaves tend to be a bit darker than others anyway. (I really think I would leave it alone, they look fine and if it ain't broken don't fix it.)

Hope this helps a bit. The next time you try sphag and bag, be sure to leave some holes in the bag or not close the top tightly to allow for some air movement. Lack of air flow probably contributed to the mold.

AaronM · #3 04-28-2008, 02:24 AM

I'm no expert but that mix looks way too fine to me. Be sure that it is drying out between waterings or you may find yourself right back where you started.
Also consider moving it to a basket lined with sphag and filled with a coarser mix. If you hang the basket partly on its side the Phal. will love it and you decrease the chances of crown rot.

AaronM

AaronM · #4 05-12-2008, 01:02 AM

Also, you may want to clean those leaves with a little lemon juice mixed with water. "A clean plant is a healthy plant.", or so my mother used to say. Oh wait, never mind, I think it was more like "Clean your room before I beat your butt." The principle's the same though.

AaronM

Singingirl96 · #5 05-12-2008, 01:28 AM

I was going to say the same... clean those leaves. It'll absorb more light if the leaves are clean.
And yes, the mix looks too broken down. I would repot it with a coarser mix. You can leave it in the same pot though. While you are at it, you can use a rooting hormone to induce more roots.
Give this plant as much light as you can. Get it close to a window with morning sun.
good luck.

MothLover · #6 05-12-2008, 06:31 PM

I did that as soon as I posted this thread, those are old pictures now. The leaves are clean, and the plant shot out 5 new root nubs. She seems to be coming along well now. I moved the plant in front of a bright window to give it more light.

Thankyou all for the input.

Jkelee · #7 05-12-2008, 06:48 PM

Wow!! Great job there!! Well done on getting new roots

Post pics so we can all be jealous

Ross · #8 05-12-2008, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronM

I'm no expert but that mix looks way too fine to me. Be sure that it is drying out between waterings or you may find yourself right back where you started.
Also consider moving it to a basket lined with sphag and filled with a coarser mix. If you hang the basket partly on its side the Phal. will love it and you decrease the chances of crown rot.

AaronM

That was my reaction also. Phals should have really open mix, unlike Paphs and Phrags. Phals in nature grow on trees. The roots like to be exposed or at least open air. I like to use really large chunk fir bark mix for mine. I love clear (or translucent) pots) since they let me check in on health of the roots.