phal update! we need help :/

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by tmoney

hey there,

well, if u buy a couple more phals, a standard seedling heat mat would be the perfect size

Typical enabler move!

---------- Post added at 09:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:58 AM ----------

Originally Posted by tedro

ok then.

65°f - 74°f

My phals are in almost exactly that range and I'm seeing a second spike on them both. If the medium can dry rapidly your temps should be fine. I water twice a week. I use large bark alone for my phals.

[Dalachin]

They make small heat mats, search “windowsill heat mat.” Essential for keeping my phals alive in my home.

[Arizona Jeanie]

Hello Tedro,
Here's how I set up my heat mat:
Folded thick old towel on the counter.
Next, heat mat--10x20 inch size, with thermostat.
Next, nursery tray--10x20 inch size. This just fits with the heat mat, and also replaces the plant saucers. Some water can be left in the tray for humidity and/or bottom watering. (I don't do this.)
Finally: Plants.
Set up the probe and temp (80 degrees F. or so) on the thermostat, you're all set.
Having one Phal in a 10x20 inch tray will look odd and unbalanced. It's very important to acquire a couple more to even it out. This is why you don't want a smaller mat.
Also, the 10x20 inch tray and 10x20 inch heat mat are made for each other.
Keep an eye on it, see if things start looking better!

[Dimples]

Given the short length of the remaining roots, make sure you’re watering when the top part of the medium has begun to dry. Don’t wait for the very bottom to dry, there aren’t any roots down there so it may take a lot longer to dry, leaving the plant in drought conditions between waterings. Water when the plant needs it. The medium at the bottom may break down faster than usual, and you may need to repot sooner than usual, but the plant will be much happier if it gets water when it needs it.

Warming the pot/roots with a heat mat will accelerate growth and help the bottom of the pot dry out more evenly. I highly recommend a mat. You can add a clear plastic storage tote over the top to act as a mini greenhouse to trap and hold the heat around the plant a bit better. Should keep the humidity higher than ambient too, in case that’s a concern.

[tedro]

Originally Posted by Arizona Jeanie

I (also) would not have cut off any of those roots, but too late now.
I strongly suggest you try a heat mat on a thermostat. I don't think Phals like it at your temps as much as you do. I'd set the temp on the mat around 80 degrees.
It looks very dry to me. I'd warm it up, then water a lot more, see how it responds.

these mats have a thermostat, needle like appendage that measures when to cut off/on.
should i put down the side of the pot?

[WaterWitchin]

Tedro, this is your same Phal from back in 2019 that bloomed, and rebloomed again, right? Now it looks very dehydrated and it never used to look that way. Have you made changes to the way you water it? The temps you keep it at? The medium in the pot? Changed from incandescent lighting to LED? What has changed?

It mostly looks very dehydrated over a prolonged period of time. Think back and see if something's changed in your care, and that will help decide how to move forward.

PS...

Originally Posted by tmoney

hey there,

well, if u buy a couple more phals, a standard seedling heat mat would be the perfect size

Good luck with that tmoney! I've been trying to tempt Tedro since he joined Orchid Board to get his Phal a new buddy. OR... maybe your Phal looks wilty because it's suffering from loneliness!

[Arizona Jeanie]

Tedro,
I'd put the probe down the side of the pot, toward the bottom. The thermostat shuts off the heat mat if the probe is showing temps above where it's set. This keeps it from cooking the roots.
Check your brand of thermostat to see how waterproof the probe is. Mine is not fully waterproof, I remove it when watering then replace.
I think this, and more watering, are worth a try. Let us know how it goes!

[tedro]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Tedro, this is your same Phal from back in 2019 that bloomed, and rebloomed again, right? Now it looks very dehydrated and it never used to look that way. Have you made changes to the way you water it? The temps you keep it at? The medium in the pot? Changed from incandescent lighting to LED? What has changed?

It mostly looks very dehydrated over a prolonged period of time. Think back and see if something's changed in your care, and that will help decide how to move forward.

PS...



Good luck with that tmoney! I've been trying to tempt Tedro since he joined Orchid Board to get his Phal a new buddy. OR... maybe your Phal looks wilty because it's suffering from loneliness!

yes, the same. yes a few things changed, but very little. and there has been *some new growth since.
this roots/core - Google Photos
is what we have been trying to beat. this, i believe, whether bugs or rot, has been the thing.
see upthread for a few days ago pics.



---------- Post added at 04:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

btw, i think coldest it gets in here in 66°f.
i have a thermometer next to phal i check when i awake (coldest time)
right now it’s 69°f, humidity 58%.