Phal: how am I doing? - Orchid Board

Sibyla · #1 11-30-2008, 08:26 AM

Hi there, I got a lovely Phalaenopsis from my mom, but I haven't taken care of any flower so far and she gave me an orchid, wow! Eventhough Phalaenopsis are said to be the easiest of orchids, I am afraid of its health. I am a bit afraid of the roots, most of the pics I saw are with green tips and mine seem to be fading away... and one small leaf that grows beneath another bigger is turning yellow. What should I do? I have no idea about how to find if I am watering it enough, the transparent pot stands on a few pabbles to gain the huminidity and not stand in the water.

Blueszz · #2 11-30-2008, 09:08 AM

The lowest leaf getting yellow could be a normal proces.

The ´aerial´ root that is growing out of the pot might be shriveling due to physical damage. Nothing to worry about. What realy is important is the condition of the roots *in* the pot. Only during active growth the roots have green tips.

Concerning watering; a good way to determine if you should water your Phal. is using a skewer. Stick it in the middle of the pot and take it out after a few hours. I only water mine when the skewer feels cold but not damp. This works great for mine.
Also, as long as you see water droplets in the pot, don't water. Most orchids are killed by over watering.
After a while you can feel on the weight of the pot if it needs to be watered.
To prevent mineral build up I flush the pot every watering. Then I take a bit of paper which I press against the wholes on the bottom to absorb as much water as I can, otherwise the medium dries too slowly during winter (in my climate).
This time of the year I grow indoors, South faced window - 50 cm away from window, in bark only. Temps between 16 and 22 (for Phalaenopsis). Maybe you can use this as a reference for your growing conditons.

BTW welcome to the board :-) and happy growing!

camille1585 · #3 11-30-2008, 09:14 AM

Don't worry, from what I see it looks fine! If the leaf that is yellowing is the lowest one, it is probably normal. All plants shed leaves once in a while. However, if you think that you may have been watering too much and there are other leaves looking a bit yellow or limp, you may want to unpot and check that the roots are ok.

As for the drying root sticking out, it's also nothing to worry about. Phals produce aerial roots that help the plant get moisture from the air. Sometimes they dry up a bit like that.

Having a clear pot is a very good thing, it will help you know when to water. If you monitor the root color the plant will tell you when it is thirsty. When you see that the roots are green and there are beads of moisture on the inside of the pot, don't water, the plant has plenty of moisture. When the moisture beads disappear and the roots look silvery/white, it time to water! Phals tolerate dryness much better than overwatering, which usually leads to root rot.

If you have any other questions or something is still not clear; don't hesitate to ask!

Sibyla · #4 11-30-2008, 09:40 AM

Thank you very much for your kind answers, tips and welcoming, since it's my first orchid I am really spook, I have hardly seen any flower like that, so I don't know what's really normal, but I'll do my best! And if I manage, I hope to get more of these lovely flowers.... I'll let you know how I am doing

cb977 · #5 11-30-2008, 09:52 AM

Hi Sibyla

I can't add anything to the great advice that Blues and Camille have already given to you...just wanted to say I think your Phal is lovely and you seem to be doing a good job of caring for it

Blueszz · #6 11-30-2008, 11:32 AM

Hello Sibyla, your Phalaenopsis has beautiful flowers. She is pretty!
Once you know how to take care for them, they are pretty easy plants to take care for. Don't be shy to ask any questions you have. We are happy to share!

RosieC · #7 12-03-2008, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Having a clear pot is a very good thing, it will help you know when to water. If you monitor the root color the plant will tell you when it is thirsty. When you see that the roots are green and there are beads of moisture on the inside of the pot, don't water, the plant has plenty of moisture. When the moisture beads disappear and the roots look silvery/white, it time to water! Phals tolerate dryness much better than overwatering, which usually leads to root rot.

:iagree:

This is my favorite way to tell if a Phal needs watering. It's a method that's worked for me for years.

Sibyla · #8 12-05-2008, 06:04 PM

Right, I wasn'tt watering for some time and the fading leaf got better, it's nice and green again and so are the roots, I guess that I was really watering too much then

Thank you all!

Sibyla · #9 12-18-2008, 06:16 AM

Hi there, it's been not yet two months and the blossoms are fading away already

I expected them to last longer, but as I read this forum, it looks that it's normal. What should I do next to make it bloom again? Do I need to cut it somewhere, put it in some cooler place or so?

camille1585 · #10 12-18-2008, 08:20 AM

Two months is within normal I'd say. Some phals bloom 2 months, others 9 months. Also, if the plant was bought it bloom, you don't know how long they were open before it was bought.
For the spike there are two schools. Those that cut below the last bloom to get a side spike and those who cut off the spike at the base. I cut it off at the base since the side spikes never have many/big flowers. And the plant saves it's energy for a new strong spike later.

Some phals grow a new spike within a month or so, others only bloom once a year. You neve know. The important thing until then is for it to grow some new leaves and roots. Keep watering and fertilizing, and give it good light (maybe south window at this time of year). When it's ready to bloom again, it will. I find that they don't really need a strong cooling down period to bloom.