droopy phal leaf

[VickiC]

Hi,
I have noticed that this phal did seem to be growing fast. In fact, I was concerned awhile back that one of the new leaves had grown wrinkled, so I started a thread asking advice. You may or may not have seen it. Someone replied to me that a wrinkled leaf is a sign of fast growth. Maybe my phal got it's "cart before the horse" since this leaf grew long but didn't take time to grow larger, too.

I'm glad to know that it will naturally straighten up. The plant seems healthy so I would really hate to loose that leaf.
Thank you!
Vicki

Originally Posted by seamonkey

I think it's normal for that to happen when leaves grow very fast. I've had a lot of that, and they do straighten out when they grow up, much like us!

[VickiC]

Hi again King,
I have a request. Not long ago, I read a thread from someone who you replied to and in your reply, you advised in which direction a phal should be positioned towards the light. I looked and looked but I can't find the thread so would you mind clueing me in on the placement?
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Agreed.

But I'll also add that I noticed, Vicki, you grow your Phals upright. Well this may be the plant trying to re-orient itself in its natural position.

If you haven't seen these pics, here they are. If you've seen them before, here they are again:

The Kerangas

Scroll down and read the captions please.

[Lagoon]

Hi Vicki, thats the beautiful thing about orchids, you never stop learning - part what makes this such an intersting hobby, orchids due like to teaze us, you know?

About the clippy deal - yes you're right, like the butterfly clips. Just find the lower leaf on the same side & bend down the floppy leaf and attach the clip to both leaves.
The orchid leaf will look kinda funny, but it does work - you can even reposition the clip(s) every couple of days if need be.
You're not dense at all - you're learning just like the rest of us orchids crazies around here

[VickiC]

Ohhh...I understand now what you were saying, Gloria. Thanks!

While I was waiting for your reply, explaining your clip idea to me, I went back out to the greenhouse and worked on my leaf delimma more. I thought putting a clip on the leaves would make scars, so I cushioned them with pieces of paper towel (I know...not necessary) I'm sending a pic of what I came up with before I read your last reply (as well as a "before pic"). I know my doctoring project looks really corny, but hey...as you said, I'm learning. Besides learning about orchids, maybe I'll figure out how goofy my "makeshift fixes" really are. By the way, I think my pot and wooden spoon idea is one of my better inventions....don't you agree?!
Thanks for your help and reply,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Hi Vicki, thats the beautiful thing about orchids, you never stop learning - part what makes this such an intersting hobby, orchids due like to teaze us, you know?

About the clippy deal - yes you're right, like the butterfly clips. Just find the lower leaf on the same side & bend down the floppy leaf and attach the clip to both leaves.
The orchid leaf will look kinda funny, but it does work - you can even reposition the clip(s) every couple of days if need be.
You're not dense at all - you're learning just like the rest of us orchids crazies around here

[Lagoon]

Haha!! You're very inventive, Vicki! I love it - it'll work for sure, you'll have that sucker all fixed by the weekend

Ya little smardypants Vicki

[VickiC]

Hey Gloria.....
Just a warning:

Best you be on the lookout for my next invention. Who knows what I'll come up with next time?! (I know what you're thinking...."kinda scary")

Take care,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Haha!! You're very inventive, Vicki! I love it - it'll work for sure, you'll have that sucker all fixed by the weekend

Ya little smardypants Vicki

[Undergrounder]

Hi Vicki, lovely looking plant! petty about the droop

A constant level of 500fcs is actually fine for Phals. It wouldn't be causing the droop you're getting. My question is what is your fertilising regime like? Droopyness and fast, soft, green growth is a sign of too much Nitrogen in your feeding regime. Drop the nitrogen level if that's the case.

'Natural reorientation' just doesn't make sense, Phals don't know which way is up.

Some Phal. hybrids just have very strappy, droopy leaves. It's a characteristic of certain lines of breeding that i don't particularly like. but i have a few plants that display it.

But in your case i would check your Nitrogen rate as first port of call.

[VickiC]

Hi,
Thank you....this has been a happy growing phal for me.

I have been fertilizing weakly-weekly with MSU Fertilizer for Well Water (19-4-23) which is in granular form. I decided to switch to the MSU liquid formula (4.75-1-5.75) and have fertilized with it twice. I most likely wouldn't have been concerned with the droopy leaf at all, had it not been droopy to the side of the plant.

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. The nitrogen level hasn't been addressed yet, so this is something that I will certainly keep in mind.
Vicki



2537]Hi Vicki, lovely looking plant! petty about the droop

A constant level of 500fcs is actually fine for Phals. It wouldn't be causing the droop you're getting. My question is what is your fertilising regime like? Droopyness and fast, soft, green growth is a sign of too much Nitrogen in your feeding regime. Drop the nitrogen level if that's the case.

'Natural reorientation' just doesn't make sense, Phals don't know which way is up.

Some Phal. hybrids just have very strappy, droopy leaves. It's a characteristic of certain lines of breeding that i don't particularly like. but i have a few plants that display it.

But in your case i would check your Nitrogen rate as first port of call.[/QUOTE]

[Lagoon]

LOL Bring it on Vicki!
You gotta love the way orchids get us all worked up and we think of these things.

Tis a great hobby for sure