Nervous newbie phal/epi questions.

[ryfrazier]

I'll preface by explaining that I believe I already know the answers to the following questions, but I'm so intensely nervous about ruining my collection that it seemed wise to seek the consul of some more experienced orchid growers. Now some questions:


Two of my NOID phal specimens' leaves are a bit withered - seems like too much water at some point. They flop over the sides of the pot & have almost no rigidity whatsoever. I'll post some pics soon, but - first thoughts? Both of these were recent rescues so I can't give you much of a clue as to how they've been treated up to this point.

Next question - I have a small Epi. mabel kanda x Epi. randianum - a cheap Lowe's number. Is the maroon color on the pseudobulbs & near the base normal or have I sunburned this plant?

Last question - I have my plants growing under lights..it's a rig I've borrowed from a friend of mine. The plants are 8"-14" below the lights. It's a 48" box, two lights in it. Both are 40 watts, one's a pinkish grow bulb (believed to be 2800 lumens) and the other's a plain flourescent about 3200 lumens. It doesn't seem as if any of the plants are sunburned at all (with the possible exception of the Epi. I mentioned above). I also have a fan creating constant air circulation & the lights are on an automatic timer (right now 16 on, 8 off). Is this enough light?

I just want to do the right thing for my buddies. I depend on them. Thank you in advance for any help.

-Ry.

[Amanda L]

Welcome to the OB ryfrazier. On your phal, I would check the roots and make sure those are okay. Limp leaves is a sure sign of poor roots.

Please post pics of your orchids so we can get a clear picture of the pbulbs.

As for light, I'm no expert on that. Someone will chime in and give you help with that. I grow mine under two "daylight" CFL bulbs they each have 6700k. I'm not sure about lumens.

I am positive you will get the advice you seek.

[ryfrazier]

The roots seem to be fine. Just repotted one of them maybe 20 minutes ago - plenty of healthy roots - greens & white. Did away with any dead roots. As for the other - repotted about 2 months ago & the roots were fine. I could take a check, but from what I can see they're doing well.

[Amanda L]

Hmm could need more light. If the leaves are dark green, they aren't getting enough light. The leaves should be a lighter green. Try upping the light and see if that helps.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Your Epidendrum is fine. That maroon coloration is pigmentation to protect itself from strong light. The light you're providing for it is the threshhold between being able to tolerate the strength of the light and sunburn.

Depending on how big your Phalaenopsis is, this could be normal. Limp is different from floppy.

Floppy is normal limp is bad. Limp is not enough water. Floppy means large leaves that the plant can't support because gravity is pulling it down.

Growing over the edge of the pot is normal for Phals, because they don't grow upright in nature.

Here're some pics of some big Phals in the wild (scroll down):

Google Image Result for http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/Hanguana190207.jpg

[ryfrazier]

Yeah, they're definitely limp. They almost seem too logged with water...they look sort of wrinkled. I'll try watering those two more often. As for the lights - are what I have enough for most of what I have? My list's in my profile, or I could copy it over here.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You know what, before watering more often, I just thought of something...

What kind of potting media are you using for your Phalaenopsis?

What's the humidity like?

Can you also provide a picture? Pics are often more helpful than descriptions.

[Ray]

To avoid definition issues related to "limp" and "floppy", stick to "turgidity" - firmness due to internal liquid pressure.

Ry, you stated that this was a "specimen" phal, so I presume you mean it's pretty big. Couple that with the fact that you checked the roots and they're fine, and it suggests that the plant is merely resorbing the water and nutrients from some older leaves and will be dropping them. No big deal.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by Ray

To avoid definition issues related to "limp" and "floppy", stick to "turgidity" - firmness due to internal liquid pressure.

Nicely put. I learned a new word.

Originally Posted by Ray

Ry, you stated that this was a "specimen" phal, so I presume you mean it's pretty big. Couple that with the fact that you checked the roots and they're fine, and it suggests that the plant is merely resorbing the water and nutrients from some older leaves and will be dropping them. No big deal.

Yes.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

He did mention the leaves were wrinkley though, Ray.

Maybe you have some thoughts?