Advise Please

[tim abbott]

I live in Cocoa Beach, Fla on the central east coast and I have several orchid plants( phals, cats, cimbidiums, and a vanda that I have outside on the northwest corner of the house under a sheffelera tree.

The first picture is a phal that I took off the main plant a couple of years ago. It seems to be doing well, my question is what tells you it is time to transplant and should I cut away the roots that have attached themselves to the clay pot when I do?

The second picture is a small phal that I bought from a roadside vendor. I have never seen purple shaded leaves before, is this a genetic manipulation?

The third picture is of a couple of cimbidiums. They were given to me & were very overgrown so I split them up. They have new growth & seem healthy to me. Should I move them inside during the hot summer months, I believe they prefer cooler temperatures?

Sorry, I see the first pic is sideways.

I just read another thread about misting. I have been using a nozzle on a hose in the mornings assuming that it would help during the hot, dry days we have been having. All of the plants have new growth, but I never thought about water spots.

Thanks, this is a great resource for info & ideas.

Tim Abbott

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[jkofferdahl]

The first Phal looks quite happy. The pic doesn't really show the potting material, though. If it is breaking down then it's time to repot. If you can get the roots off without cutting them, please do so. Try getting them really soaking wet with tepid water and then using a very sharp knife to pry them loose from the pot. Let them stay outside of the new pot you put the plant into.

I've not seen leaves quite as dark as the ones on your second Phal, but I've seen some very purple undersides. I wonder if maybe the plant was getting a bit more light than it prefers?

I know even less about cimbidiums than I do Phals, so can't comment on those.

[BikerDoc5968]

I would agree that the purple coloration is secondary to the light intensity at your location. While it may be shaded under the tree, it is getting sunlite from somewhere....the foliage almost looks mottled which could be a hybrid that includes one of the species mottled-leaved phals like stuartiana or schilleriana, but it is hard to tell from your pic...these tend to have a slightly darker leaf. As for the cymbidiums, they like some major sunlite....maybe not the Florida noontime , but good lite and lots of it so the leaves are a yellow-green, then in the fall...well for you, winter allow them to have a 10 to 15 degree day/nite temp difference and this will help set flower spikes....

[quiltergal]

One of my harlequin phals has very dark leaves with purple undersides like yours. It sits on the same shelf as my other phals with light green leaves. In this instance I think it might be an indication of flower color. I had read somewhere that dark leaves indicate dark flower color.

[tim abbott]

Thanks for your responses.

The little purple one was that color when I got it a month or so ago & it had a couple of purple flowers that have since fallen off so I removed the stem. It has a new leaf growing now.

Tim Abbott

[snow]

i would not transplant the first phal. it looks quite happy with its roots wrapped around the pot.
thats how they grow in nature right?

[Sharlie]

Hi Tim... I just came across your thread after searching Cocoa Beach...
I also have Cym. and I have them in the patio area planted directly in the ground...and they grow like mad.

I am not very good with phals so I don't think I am the person to ask but if you like them... a lady at the flea market up off 95 and Eau galle (by the produce section at the beginning) sells huge ones (in bloom)for super cheap($10), you might want to check her out. I go to see what she has from time to time when I am over that way on the weekends. I bought one from her 6 months ago....and I cut off the spike to the next noid on the bloom branch ....and it keeps blooming continuously... it is really insane.
Good Luck!