Shriveling Phal Leaves that are Splitting (pics included)

[cyberbrat]

Help! What is wrong with my Phal? It is in an East facing window...has 12 or so flowers that look good...but the leaves are starting to do some strange stuff. I have some tips that are shriveling and two leaf tips that have split. Has anyone seent this before? I watered it once on Tuesday morning (about 1/3 cup of water), I got it on Saturday. It is in an East facing window.

I don't know what other info to offer but do not want to lose it.

Here are some pics...(it is a phone camera so the color is much more red and blue than in reality). Even though the leaves do have some red on the bottom...the flowers are white/violet/yellow.

Also...I did the 'pencil test'...put the just sharpened pencil about two inches into the potting material, it came back barely moist will fine grains of dirt on it.





Thank you.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Could be the beginnings of sunburn. The brightness in the first pic looks like it's way too bright for a Phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis grow in diffuse light (aka bright shade). Another clue is how the leaves look yellowish.

Move it further away from the window. The "weirdness" should stop.

[cyberbrat]

Thank you, I will try moving it.

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Could be the beginnings of sunburn. The brightness in the first pic looks like it's way too bright for a Phalaenopsis.

Phalaenopsis grow in diffuse light (aka bright shade). Another clue is how the leaves look yellowish.

Move it further away from the window. The "weirdness" should stop.

[Junebug]

I agree with the King.

[justatypn]

I agree with King, phal like low light between 1,000 and 1,500 foot-candles. No shadowing should be seen, if you hold your hand one foot above a plant's leaves. They are very forgiving.

[cyberbrat]

Thanks to all for your replies. I will move the Phal early in the morning before sunrise so it has a new day in less intense light.

cyberbrat

[cyberbrat]

I moved the Phal this morning to the North window. The leaves had burgendy borders last night and the stalk had a lot of burgendy on the base, I even had a shade on the window yesterday. The room is 12 X 12 with an East 4 foot window and a North 4 foot window. Super bright. I am going to try the Phal on the North just for summertime...I will need to experiment to adjust light levels with the window shades, etc.

I was happy to see this morning that the Phal is opening a new bloom on the spike!!!

Link to pic:
http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...T/NewBloom.jpg

I added a humidifier to the room on the floor about a foot away from the stand the Phal is on. I thought the roots would appreciate some humid air 'action'.

Thanks again to all for your help!

[kiki-do]

I agree about too much sunlight for it.
What type of pot is that in? If it's in a clay pot, that might dry out quickly and you don't want it to do that when it's in it's flowering mode. When you water, do you soak the base with roots in water for a few minutes? Make sure you don't water like you would a regular houseplant. Give the roots a good soaking, then let it dry out to the point of almost being completely dry and soak again, etc. If it's in a clay pot, it will need watering more often than if it were in a plastic pot. That is what I find with mine.
Leaf splitting isn't anything to worry about. I have that on some and they seem fine. Not sure what causes that. Good growing!!!!

[cyberbrat]

Hi kiki-do,

It is in a green plastic pot (not a clear like I have seen on the board). That pot is then inside of the clay 'decorative' pot. I bought it like this but would like to have it in a clear plastic pot so I can see the roots.

I watered it on Tuesday from above making sure not to get the leaves wet. The next time I water I am going to water from below (the soak). I am using distilled water and do the 'pencil test' to see when it needs water. It might be due since yesterday the pencil seemed barely wet with a few fine grains of dirt sticking to it.

I am determined to get the hang of this!!!

Thanks for the advice!

cyberbrat

[kiki-do]

You'll be fine! I just wasn't sure about the pot, so thought I would mention it. Happiness is a thriving orchid!