My leaf is yellow and floppy... - Orchid Board

annehylee · #1 02-19-2009, 06:01 PM

Hi Hi! It's been a while since I've been on the orchid board - have been having some problems with my computer. Anyway, glad to be back.
I noticed the other day, the top leaf (which used to be very strong and rigid) is now super floppy... The underside of the leaf has this browny/burgundy colour around the edges and throughout the leaf... It's scary cause this leaf used to be sooo strong and bright green and now it's bent in half all flopped over. Plus, on the same pot, on the leaf underneath, on the other side is yellow at the base... is this a rot?

RosieC · #2 02-19-2009, 06:08 PM

It does sound like rot to me. But a picture would help, can you post one?

lily99 · #3 02-20-2009, 12:29 PM

I agree, it does sound like rot. Check the roots and crown for brown, mushy areas.

annehylee · #4 02-24-2009, 12:40 PM

The crown wasn't all brown but the roots were all rotted. Darn it all... This one was passed onto me from a friend who bought it a couple of months ago. I guess there is no way of saving root rot???

How often should you water dormant phals - done flowering and spikes cut down...

RosieC · #5 02-24-2009, 05:36 PM

If the plant is healthy but the roots are rotted then it may be possible to save it.

Many people have done this with a technique called Sphag-n-bag. I can't find the links just now, you may find it searching this site or maybe someone else will know the link.

It sounds as though the yellow leaves may be like that because they have died due to lack of water rather than because they have rotted as such. Although I can't tell that for certain without a photo.

On the question of watering, I water by the same rules all year arround. I don't mean that I water the same amount all the time, but that I use the same indicators of when to water all year.

Do you have a clear pot on your Phal? That is the easiest way to know when to water. Wait till the roots are silvery in colour, then water by running water through the pot or by dunking the pot in water. Whichever way you water drain well afterwards. The roots will go green, while they remain green don't water again.

Another method is to put a wooden stick in the pot, right down to the bottom (without damaging the roots). Leave it there a few hours and then pull it out. If it is damp then don't water yet. I use this on by Dend with is not in a clear pot and I leave the stick in all the time and use the same hole each time so I know there are no roots in the way.

Another method, although it takes more practice and experience is to go by the weight of the pot. Feel the weight of the pot when you water, then again as it dries out. You can then learn to tell by the weight when it needs watering again. I think this method needs you to use one of the others first though while you learn what weight to expect.

Judi · #6 02-25-2009, 12:13 AM

This is the link to some sphag-n-bag info: Sphag-n-Bag I only tried it once without success, but I have read on this board that others had good luck with it. I was able to save one phal I had that developed bad root rot and lost all its roots by repotting in loose orchid mix soaked in K-L-N. I kept the medium moist but not wet and watered it with a weak K-L-N solution until it grew new roots. I also misted it frequently.

RosieC · #7 02-26-2009, 01:57 PM

Ah, those are the instructions I remember. I'm going to bookmark them because I can never find them when I want them.

I often get the impression that the use of K-L-N is the key, and it is used in the sphag-n-bag.

To be honest I did not have much luck when I tried Sphag-n-bag either, but so may people say they have, that I still suggest it to people with problems.

I think a big reason it did not work for me was that I had nothing like K-L-N or superthrive as suggested in the link. I've still not got hold of it here in the UK.

annehylee · #8 03-10-2009, 01:28 PM

RosieC, regarding watering... one of my phal has finished blooming and I cut the spike already. And this one is in a clear pot and everything seems really healthy. I normally water my orchids once a week, but the roots on this one is still green even though it's been 2 weeks since its last watering... Does this just mean that orchids that are not in bloom don't need as much water? Is this normal?

annehylee · #9 03-10-2009, 01:30 PM

2 of my 3 orchids are dying I think. The one that has finished blooming is still really great. But my green phal is dying I think too. I was holding the spike of my green phal and it just lifted right out of the pot!!! And there are literally on like 4 long roots... when I bought this one initially back in october, it had lots of roots... and now it has like none... what am I doing wrong??? I'm soo upset!

Becky15349 · #10 03-10-2009, 02:28 PM

It sounds like you are overwatering if you are losing roots. You really need to check the media with your finger, or a skewer before you water to see if there is still moisture in the pot. Also, perhaps an increase in air movement around the phal would help by placing a small 6" desk fan nearby to help it dry out in between waterings. You are located in canada and it is cold there now, so chances are if you don't have a fan, it's not drying out enough between your waterings.

I forgot to mention - you generally do want to insure you water a plant when it is blooming, but not necessarily moreso than other times. Its more important to water the plant when it NEEDS it, which you can determine by feeling the media and sticking your finger down at least an inch or two into the media. I think you probably should cut back on watering immediately - and do not stick to a rigid watering schedule, that is generally not the best way.

If your phals are in 100% sphagnum moss, try fluffing the moss up a little bit so it gets some air in there...air is the secret to happy orchid roots.