Phal losing leaves....HELP!

[Malia_R]

My phal has been going very strong for the past 4 months over winter. But all of a sudden the flowers have quickly wiltered and fallen off and the leaves have turned green, then red and then fallen off too.

I have lost 2 leaves now and it looks another 2 are heading that direction! The only thing that is giving me hope is that there is a new leaf growing at the top that looks very healthy. But I'm scared that if the other two leaves drop that there isn't much hope left for my precious phal.

I have been watering my phal once a week. It is positioned in a well lit spot without any direct sunlight. What could be causing the leaves to drop? Is there anything I can do to save it?

I have attached 2 pictures. 1 when the orchid was in bloom. The 2nd of the leaves now.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[jkofferdahl]

Unfortunately the pictures didn't attach, so I can't see what things look like. But here are some thoughts anyway.

It sounds like you have a rigid watering schedule for the plant. Orchids like to be watered when they want to be watered. It's possible that you've underwatered it, but more likely that you've overwatered. More Phals are killed by too much water than not enough. Too much water can cause root rot, and root rot will cause the plant to essentially cut off feeding older leaves in order to save newer or growing leaves because there is no longer enough root mass to support the whole plant.

You don't mention how the plant is potted, but there are a lot of different types of materials, and the different materials hold water differently. Sphagnum, for example, holds a lot of water for a long time, while a fresh bark mix comparably sheds water. Thus, you could water a plant potted in sphagnum once a week and quickly overwater it, while the same plant in fresh bark might need several waterings a week.

What you need to do is check the roots. If they are green they are still moist. If they are white but firm they need water. If they're black they have rotted.

[priz_m]

Hi Malia, welcome to the OB.

I agree with jkofferdahl, check the root system and make sure the plant is not being overwatered, if you suspect so, repot at once, nevermind the flowers or the spike, here's a good link on repotting phals:

Easy Orchids - Re Potting A Phalaenopsis

keep us posted

[nenella]

Hi & welcome Malia,
I too agree with the above..check the roots out &
re-pot !
take a few pics of the roots & show us if you're not sure...
Good Luck

[frostedeyes]

hmmm i have that as well its a sign of poor air circulation and i suspect that your roots has fungal disease. I would recommend you to repot it and add cinnamon or any fungicide. how often do you water you phal. give them more air circulation think its important for phal.

[Singingirl96]

It doesn't look like there is any way for the water to escape your pot. Are there any holes on the bottom?

[jimjim]

i think its root rot...your pot doesnt seem to have any drainage holes where excess water can seep out and some air to come in...phals tend to lose their leaves when their roots are in trouble...

[frostedeyes]

hiya jim! i'm using a polyurethane foam on all of my phals they are soooo happy and roots keep on sticking on the foams. and i water them everyday and misting them like thrice a day. Im thinking that foams doesnt absorb alot of water. it keeps in evenly moist but not making the roots standing on wet feet. another one i found out is that the air would pass through the moist foam hmmm... anyway im still under observation. one vanda is still rootless but no sign of rot or dying...

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[jimjim]

hi frostedeyes!! i mount mine in coconut husk and tree trunks, like you i water them everyday and put them in a shaded area,they dont like too much light....just be patient on your vanda though...goodluck

[snow]

hi malia and welcome to ob. i also would suggest to take the phal out of the pot to check on the roots. if they are bad i would also suggest to cut off the spike to conserve all the energy toward growing new roots instead of flowers.