Phal Leaves Yellowing and falling off

[ninreznorgirl2]

Thanks everyone. I'll do just that!

[Leafmite]

You mentioned that other Phals you bought have also gotten crown rot. How are you watering your Phals? Does water get on the leaves (especially into the center) when you water? What are your home temperatures? How often are you watering? Does the medium dry before you water again?

In nature, many Phals grow in very warm climates (80'F) hang sideways and, sometimes, a little downward so when it rains, the water drips off. There is also usually air movement that helps dry the leaves. The bare roots cling to trees, exposed completely to air. In our homes, we pot Phals so they sit upright and if water gets on the leaves and does not dry quickly, which often happens, the leaves will often rot. From experience, this can happen fairly quickly, within a week or two if the leaves stay wet.

If water does not get on the leaves when you water, the next consideration is the roots...How are your roots? Sometimes, when a Phal gets too much water and the roots die, you will also have some of the leaves die and, if the infection moves into the stem from the roots, the stem can die.

The Phal can probably be saved if you act quickly. First, check the roots and see if any are plump and firm. If so, you can pot it in the same medium. It will not hurt the Phal. If you have Isopropyl alcohol, gently pour the alcohol into the nooks and crannies of the leaves every day for two or three days. Do not let the alcohol get on the roots. The alcohol will kill the rot.

When watering your Phal, be careful not to get any water on the leaves. Let the medium dry before watering again. Some people put a long wooden stick in the medium and pull it out to check...if the lower part of the stick is still wet, they wait to water. Others can tell when an orchid needs watered by the weight (the drier it is, the lighter it gets).

I think quite a few orchid growers kill their first Phal or two by rotting out the crown or the roots. I know that I did. I was accustomed to other plants and did not realize how differently Phal orchids grew compared to how they were sold. This website has great advice for growing Phals. Good luck and hope that you can save this one!

For those who do not usually order from Hausermann's:
Hausermann's ships their orchids with a heat pack during the cooler weather and even if it goes cold before arrival, the amount of newspaper that is used protects the plants for the short time they are exposed to cooler temperatures. I ordered a bunch of warm-growing Phals from them in either January or February (bellina, violacea and Sumera) and they were fine despite the cold weather and the heat pack going cold. They usually will not ship if it is not safe to do so. During a really cold winter, they held my order for four months before they would ship it.

[ninreznorgirl2]

With my first phal, i did the ice cube (cause i didn't know better) this is honestly the only phal i have ever been able to get roots or anything to grow on. I eventually killed this one with crown rot after i learned the proper way to care (not getting into the crown, water on the leaves, etc). I think this one died cause it got neglected during a move when it was putting off new roots. ive bought a few minis from grocery stores in hopes of not killing these, being mindful of watering, either watering from the bottom or using a narrow mouthed watering jug to water around the outside of the top (away from the crown) i dont quite remember the roots on these, but i dont think they were the best. another one i received from my mother in law, and despite her being a florist, she watered it right into the crown. more than likely, not her first time doing that. that one eventually died from crown rot as well. another mini i bought, i was really bad with, it also perished from crown rot, but i let it dry out for a long time in between watering, so that one was totally on me. I either seem to over water, or under water the babies. i didn't buy any for a while, because i wanted to get one from a reputable seller, vs grocery stores (ive seen how they water at grocery stores several times since, and well, wont do it unless its a clearance orchid that im taking that chance with). I bought two cattleyas in October, that im also learning how to care for (and not underwater cause ive already killed one of those two with dehydration... oops)

The hausermanns orchid was packed really well. news paper wrapped, hot pack, and i attempted to not let it sit out in the cold, but it was shipped the day of the week i was in the office (of course) so as soon as i saw it was delivered, i went home and got it, so it was probaly out there for a half hour or so. (40s) in an attempt to not let it get colder than what it already may have been.

[estación seca]

Phals are warm to hot growers. They're not really happy unless it's 80 degrees F / 25C or above. People can learn to grow them in cool houses. It's not easy at first, and it's easy to make fatal mistakes.

Crown rot isn't caused by getting water in the crown. In the summer I spray my Phals in the hot, humid sunrooom with the hose. I leave the crowns soaking wet. I'm not careful with watering at all. They eventually dry and there is no crown rot. That's because it's hot and they're healthy. In winter I wait for sunny, warm days, and do the same. Your climate is different so you can't water like that. Crown rot is caused by keeping plants too cool, then allowing water to stand in the crown.

I suggest trying a heat mat under your plants. Use large and not medium bark for potting, so they dry faster and have more air at the roots. Use clear pots. Water only the medium as soon as the roots you see turn silver. Don't soak them. This means you will need to water more often than now. It's better to run Phals dryer in cool conditions.

It's OK if you need to leave them unwatered for a week or two in cool conditions. They will wrinkle a little. That will gradually go away when you start watering.

Oncidium intergeneric hybrids will do better in your growing conditions. They require different care from Phals, so do a little reading here on Orchid Board in the Oncidium forum.

[ninreznorgirl2]

estación seca thank you!! i got a heat mat for my cattleya, and havent introduced my phal to it yet, as i didn't want to shock it and to quarantine until i knew it was good. and well, that went... well?? lol. I also picked up dendrobium seedlings a little bit ago too, but havent done anything with them yet (still 'flasked') because im goin on a mini vacation this weekend (fri - mon) so, i didn't want to start seedlings! ill take a look at your suggestion. thank you again.

you all are very helpful and responsive! i appreciate it! esp with being a newb...