Is this normal? - Orchid Board

Lena · #1 08-10-2009, 09:25 PM

I got this plant from my uncle as a rescue. It was severely sunburnt and I had to cut the top leaf because it started to rot. It has since grown some new leaves, but they look very small and wavy. I have attached a photo so that it is a bit clearer to see what is going on. Is this normal? Will the leaves get any bigger? Is there anything I can do? Thanks in advance

Judi · #2 08-10-2009, 10:22 PM

The newest leaf looks good, so it looks like your phal is growing; if conditions are good it probably will grow OK. I had to do the same thing to a phal with severe rot on the top leaf--it took a while but I got new leaves and they grew just fine. But the 2 oldest leaves don't look so great. Looks like the chid is in sphag--have you checked the roots? Roots need good air circulation and drainage, so make sure the roots are good, the medium is not compacted, and there is good drainage in the pot. A bark mix works best for me, but I know there are many happy chids living in sphag. Hope your rescue works!

Lena · #3 08-11-2009, 12:09 AM

Yeah, the leaves got like that after the sunburn. It also had only one good root when I got it. That one root now has a small active root growing off of it and there is a new root coming out of the plant as well. I put sphag on the top because it would dry out very quickly and I needed something that held moisture a little bit longer than bark. The bottom is all bark with a little bit of sphag.

I was thinking of putting it in a smaller pot, but I'm afraid it would topple over since the older leaves are so big. I have been avoiding overwatering by just giving the good roots a bit of water when they are dry.

Once it has a better root system I can water it a bit more normally.. If you have a better suggestion please let me know. Also, if you'd like I can take a picture of the roots.

Sandy4453 · #4 08-11-2009, 12:14 AM

That almost looks like a separate plant growing out of the crown? I'm not sure what I'm seeing but can you tell if these 2 new leaves are on a stem separate from the main plant?

Lena · #5 08-11-2009, 12:53 AM

No it is coming straight out of the center. I don't see any stem. Here are some pictures to help.

Blueszz · #6 08-11-2009, 06:52 AM

To me this plant is looking very well,... ahm... I mean... for a plant with such a trauma it's doing well and on it's way to recovery! Good growing!
I think with time and patience she will fully recover. The first new leaf might be looking so od because the heart was damaged too, but as your newest leaf looks fine, I wouldn't worry about it.

That the newer leafs are so tiny is normal, once the plant has grown sufficient new roots, the leafs will become larger.

Nicole

RosieC · #7 08-11-2009, 12:50 PM

I agree, it looks like it's been through some trama but is now recovering.

I'm guessing that some leaves have been removed between the old ones and the new ones, is that correct?

It looks to me like it's now got new leaves growing out of what was once a damaged crown.

I think the lowest of the new leaves is probably so odd looking because it was starting to form when the damage happened or something like that. That one may not get any bigger but very newest one probably will in my opinion.

I think the fact that you have new root growth and new leaf growth shows you are doing something right to help this guy recover

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 08-11-2009, 01:18 PM

Trauma, yes. Probably neglect. Definitely severe root rot had occurred. So to answer your question...

Yes, it's normal for a plant that's been severely neglected, and severe root rot also = not enough water which = the way your plant now looks.

RosieC's explanation is correct, the damage occurred while it was forming new leaves from the crown.

Not to worry, like everyone said, it'll recover and looks like it already has started.

Judi · #9 08-11-2009, 11:29 PM

I would also recommend using K-L-N, a rooting stimulant. Looks like the roots also suffered; they are starting to recover but would benefit from the rooting stimulant. Follow the directions to soak the medium and water with the recommended amount of K-L-N in the water until you have a good root system. It worked for me.

Sandy4453 · #10 08-12-2009, 12:53 AM

I agree....the plant suffered a setback, most probably because of root rot or underwatering. I have 2 plants growing the same way as yours, new growth is not growing as large or as quickly to match the old growth which has suffered from the loss.

The first pic is one of my favorite Phals, a Wedding Promenade that usually puts out 2 huge spikes with over 50 blooms. After the blooms were spent, I repotted it, and cut away some dead roots and it immediately began struggling. Then, one of the new leaves showed signs of mottling which scared me so I treated it and cut away that part of the leaf. Today, I soaked the plant with SuperThrive for close to 6 hours. Hopefully, it will rebound.

The Phal in the second pic began struggling as soon as the blooms finished....no repot, no disturbing so I don't know exactly what happened. This one, as well was soaked in SuperThrive not long ago, is holding it's own now and has put out a basal keiki.

Your Phal is fine, just a minor setback!