Phalaenopsis dying - Orchid Board

Bospen · #1 09-02-2008, 07:43 PM

Hey everyone,

First post here. My Phalaenopsis's leaves all fell off...literally. One had a black semi-circle at the base, the other one just turned yellow and I touched it yesterday, it fell off the plant. So, now, the plant has no leaves. I have only had it for about a month. Any ideas as to why the leaves fell off? And, is it going to die?

Thanks!

Dave

Dorothy · #2 09-02-2008, 08:09 PM

It might have crown rot ..
Could you post a photo of it?
This thread will help you if so needed - http://www.orchidboard.com/community...chidboard.html

SP2340 · #3 09-02-2008, 08:11 PM

Hi. Welcome to the board.
1) How often did you water it?
2) Was it in direct sunlight?
3) Did you repot it in soil?

Vulpes Velox · #4 09-02-2008, 08:20 PM

were did you buy it from?... if its from some supermarked or such it might have suffered from bad treatment on their part and just beginning to show the signs now.. so might not be your fault at all... but as SP2340 asks, some info would help

..
and welcome, hope youll find some good advice

Lagoon · #5 09-02-2008, 10:01 PM

I don't really know why the leaves would fall off. You spoke about black circle, might be sun burn or possible rot. Can't tell you much without any photos.

How do the roots look?
If their ok, then you just might get a new basal growth. Keep it moist and give it bright light (not sunlight).
Welcome aboard, Dave

Bospen · #6 09-02-2008, 10:40 PM

Ok, Lets see...

I did not repot it, it was in indirect sunlight, watered it once a week with about 2 teaspoons of water. I got it at Home Depot, prob not the best quality, but I liked the flower. The roots look good, but keep in mind this is my first orchid. There are a couple of what look like green buds coming from the base. One of the leaves that fell off had a spot where it attached that looked like an insect chewed a semi-circle, but the inside edges were black. The other leaf just turned yellow and when I touched it, it fell off the plant. My other orchid, a Paphiopedilum Vini paph, has received the exact same treatment, yet it looks fine. I'll try to post a pic of the Phalaenopsis tomorrow. Thanks.

Dave

SP2340 · #7 09-02-2008, 11:37 PM

Your problem is the watering. When you water it completely flush it with water. When/if leaves grow back don't let water get traped in the pocket between the leaf and the stem.

Bospen · #8 09-05-2008, 01:49 PM

Hey everyone,

Thanks for your advice. I pulled the orchid out of its pot to see what it looked like and I found the roots were wet. There was finer soil in the pot. I also noticed that there was a plastic pot within the ceramic pot. I removed the plastic pot and got an orchid pot for it. Maybe this will help getting air to the roots. So, today I repotted it. Some of the roots looked like they were dead, but some appeared to be alive. Im going to try it again with this new pot mix. My next question is should I water it now or should I wait?

Thanks,

Dave

greg sytch · #9 09-07-2008, 06:57 PM

If it is moist, I would not water it until the mix dries out. If you do not have a fungicide, use baking soda (mixed w/water 10:1 soda) as an anti-fungal spray. Phal mixes must be well drained. Greg..... when I have a plant that is way too wet, I leave it outside in a shady spot out of the pot until the roots dry out, then repot as tight as possible again.

Lagoon · #10 09-07-2008, 07:31 PM

Dave, I never water my orchids the day I repot them. I like to give a couple of days for any cracks to heal up that might have occured during the repotting, sometimes these cracks from rotting are already there.

I hope you were able to cut off any brown mushy roots that may have been there.