Phal. Mini Mark Breckenridge health

[harrefr]

Thank you again, Roberta. Air contact with the roots that are inside the pot must be the reason behind wanting a chunky, lightly packed medium, to allow water and air to flow through. All of my phals are potted in the same bark mixture, except for a few minis that are still in sphagnum moss. I think I will treat all of the phals that are in bark the same, and water when almost dry, or when the roots are silvery green. And thanks for the heads-up about Mini Mark possibly taking time to recover. A couple of the leaves are rather limp, but there are a couple of others that feel rather strong, relatively speaking.

[greyblackfish]

Good to know! I think maybe I should water my phals more!!

[harrefr]

**Update** My Mini Mark appears to be slowly recovering. 2 of the 4 leaves are still somewhat limp and dark green. However, I do see 2 new root tips starting to emerge from the crown and he is putting out a new leaf! I guess all hope is not lost yet…

[harrefr]

Today, I decided to order some Kelpak to help stimulate Mini Mark’s growth. He’s just limping along, putting out a couple of new roots and a leaf, but they all are still dark green. Maybe the Kelpak will help?

[greyblackfish]

I’m just trying out kelp myself. I think you’re only supposed to use it once a month. It’s it’s already growing, I don’t see how it can’t help.

Also don’t expect all the leaves to plump up again or change color. Sometimes they just stay that way. Look to the new growth to better judge the health of your phal. It’ll take time for the new leaf to finish growing. Once it stops growing you can see if it’s the same size or bigger than the other leaves. If it is then you’re doing it right.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

I’m just trying out kelp myself. I think you’re only supposed to use it once a month. It’s it’s already growing, I don’t see how it can’t help.

Also don’t expect all the leaves to plump up again or change color. Sometimes they just stay that way. Look to the new growth to better judge the health of your phal. It’ll take time for the new leaf to finish growing. Once it stops growing you can see if it’s the same size or bigger than the other leaves. If it is then you’re doing it right.

Good to know, thank you. The new leaf is barely beginning to emerge, and it appears to be a light green color with somewhat red edges. Maybe too much light? And regarding the Kelpak, Ray sent me an email and suggested “ using a 1 tablespoon/gallon solution, I’d recommend that you do two consecutive waterings with it, wait two weeks, then do one more, with your normal watering/feeding in between.” Will give it a try when it arrives…. Here’s how he looks now…

[greyblackfish]

That’s great info, thank you for sharing. I’ll be using that in the future for sure. I’m using a subpar kelp off Amazon but I’ll be getting the 3 piece package from Ray sometime this year.

Your orchid looks good there. A bit of sun “tan” isn’t harmful. If your other phals are happy under the lights, it’s a good sign for your mini mark. I think I’ve admired that one myself. But some say it is more fickle than other phal hybrids. My store bought phals all have different colored leaves. Some are light green and some are darker purple. If it’s growing roots and a new leaf, you’re doing something right.

[harrefr]

Originally Posted by greyblackfish

That’s great info, thank you for sharing. I’ll be using that in the future for sure. I’m using a subpar kelp off Amazon but I’ll be getting the 3 piece package from Ray sometime this year.

Your orchid looks good there. A bit of sun “tan” isn’t harmful. If your other phals are happy under the lights, it’s a good sign for your mini mark. I think I’ve admired that one myself. But some say it is more fickle than other phal hybrids. My store bought phals all have different colored leaves. Some are light green and some are darker purple. If it’s growing roots and a new leaf, you’re doing something right.

Glad to share info anytime, as many of you have done for me. My other phals are doing rather well, some are still blooming while others are putting out new growth…even Mini Mark. From what I have read about them, it was a previous hybrid, ‘Holm’ that many people had trouble with. I have a ‘Breckenridge’ hybrid, which must be newer because I can’t find much info on it. Hopefully, it won’t be as fickle or finicky. But he seems to be holding on, and we’ll see how the Kelpak helps…I have high hopes for it. More to come…

[greyblackfish]

Yes please do keep us updated