Phal and Sunburn - Orchid Board

Leslie2934 · #1 07-18-2009, 11:59 PM

Hi all, I have 2 phals that have lost all of their leaves due to sunburn. Prior to this they were healthy plants. Will the leaves return? Or is it a lost cause? I thought I had read somewhere that someone had the same situation but I can't find the post now. What do you think?

Zoi2 · #2 07-19-2009, 12:09 AM

How are the roots and crown? Can you post a picture?
Joann

Leslie2934 · #3 07-19-2009, 10:53 AM

Ok here are photos of the two plants. I took these this morning.

nenella · #4 07-19-2009, 11:29 AM

Oh dear Leslie - I think they've gone to orchid heaven.. It looks to me like you had crown rot more than just sunburn. Buy a new one and learn from the experience..make sure you get no water in the crown of the plant and no direct sunshine & you should be successful
Good luck!

cneos · #5 07-19-2009, 11:58 AM

I agree with Nenella, looks like crown rot, and root tips on 'Montclair Valentine' appear dessicated too.

You can't grow orchids well without killing a few on the way. While it might be possible to bring these phals back, I'd replace them and learn from the experience. Bench space is too valuable to waste on an orchid hospital.

Leslie2934 · #6 07-19-2009, 12:10 PM

That's what I thought. Thanks for the confirmation.

buffalo · #7 08-10-2009, 07:31 PM

I've lost a number of orchids over the years to crown rot. I never water to allow water in the crown, some i only water be dunking the pot ;never letting water get in the crown. When i go to the store and see them watered in the greenhouse they are not that careful and the orchid seem to do fine.
Whats the correct procedures?

jkofferdahl · #8 08-10-2009, 07:48 PM

Getting water in the crown really isn't the problem - it's allowing the water to SIT in the crown. As it sits in the crown the water allows ick to grow, and this is what kills the plant. Mounted phals are usually mounted so as to allow water to naturally drain away from the crown. Potted Phals, though, are planted to remain erect, and this is what typically allows the water to sit in the crown. When I water my Phals I do so in a way to keep water out of the crown, of course, but if I get some in there I either set the pot on the side for a while or daub it very gently out with a paper towel.

RosieC · #9 08-11-2009, 08:56 AM

Many garden centers or general stores which stock orchids are not a good example. In my experience they are pretty good at killing phals through various means.

On the other hand nursaries also tend to water Phals by spraying water over them all. Once I recently bought from a good nursary had water marks on the leaves where it had obviously been sprayed.

When I vistited Kew Gardens (Royal Botanical Sociaty) they had Phals sitting erect and the guy was just in the process of spaying his hosepipe all over the room watering everything. The room also had moisture sprays going off automatically (although mainly arround the vandas). But water on the leaves appeared to by drying quickly and I guess that is the key, although the room was being kept humid it was also very well ventilated.

It's something which has puzzled me as well though

Gin · #10 08-11-2009, 10:33 AM

I spray mine when watering, mounted and potted but it is done early in the day , but not when it is cool and cloudy spraying them down keeps mites away and the leaves clean . As was said if any water remains in the crown I use a twist of paper towel to wick it out .
Sorry about the plants . Losing a few is part of the learning process . Gin