droopy phal leaf - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 10-06-2009, 04:29 PM

Hi everyone,
I have had this phal for about 7-8 mo. and until a few weeks ago, it has seemed to be doing fine sitting in our living room under a lamp with 2 60 watt plant light bulbs. After I bought the plant home, I measured the lamp's light output with my analog meter to see if by chance it would be sufficient for my plant. I actually doubted that it would be, so I was was surprised to read that the light emitted was from 1000-1500 fc.

A few weeks ago one of the leaves started to droop and has gotten worse. Near that time, I coincidentally ordered a new digital calibrated light meter. After I rec'd it, I knew there would be some difference in my analog and the digital calibrated one, so I measured that lamp light as a test. I was very surprised to find that there was a big difference in the two, so my phal had been getting less than 500 fc. Surprised once again!

I then moved it to my greenhouse in hopes the light increase would help the droopy leaf. My question is...do you think it will and if so, is there anything that I can do to somehow support the leaf in the process or should I just leave it alone and hope it will improve on it's own? On the other hand, if you don't think the added light will help, do you have any advice as to what else might?
I would very much appreciate your help,
Vicki

aesir22 · #2 10-06-2009, 04:56 PM

Droopy leaves to me indicates root issues - either not enough water, or too much, meaning roots may have rotted and thus less water is transported to leaves. Have you checked the roots? What type of medium is it in?

Too little light on phals can usually be noticed by foliage turning dark green. You leaves look fine in colour, so I'm reluctant to think its a light issue. Be wary moving them from low light to high light suddenly - these are low light plants and won't appreciate too much sun!

Get back to us about the roots...

quiltergal · #3 10-06-2009, 05:41 PM

I think if it were a root issue you would see wrinkled, dessicated leaves which I see none of. I think the leaf is trying to compensate for not enough light by growing bigger faster. The weight of the leaf is what's making it flop. 500 fc is way too low. I would bump it up to at least 1000. Can you prop the leaf up temporarily in the right postion until the leaf hardens up?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 10-06-2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I think if it were a root issue you would see wrinkled, dessicated leaves which I see none of. I think the leaf is trying to compensate for not enough light by growing bigger faster. The weight of the leaf is what's making it flop. 500 fc is way too low. I would bump it up to at least 1000. Can you prop the leaf up temporarily in the right postion until the leaf hardens up?

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.

VickiC · #5 10-06-2009, 07:19 PM

Hi,
I've had problems before with leaf cell collapse, so I know exactly what you're saying. I've unfortunately "been there, done that" more times than I can start to remember. I don't have a "leather leaf" issue this time, though (luckily!) Watering is still a very challenging hurdle for me.....and I understand I'm not alone.

The roots are fine.....I can see them through the plastic pot. The medium is a bark, chacoal, coir (etc.) mix.

Recently, our weather has been overcast. Several days have been rainy, so I wouldn't think that it has been getting too much light, but I'll do as you advise and watch carefully that it doesn't get overwhelmed by the sun incase we're lucky enough to get some pretty sunny weather sometime soon.

Thank you very much for your reply and advice,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by aesir22

Droopy leaves to me indicates root issues - either not enough water, or too much, meaning roots may have rotted and thus less water is transported to leaves. Have you checked the roots? What type of medium is it in?

Too little light on phals can usually be noticed by foliage turning dark green. You leaves look fine in colour, so I'm reluctant to think its a light issue. Be wary moving them from low light to high light suddenly - these are low light plants and won't appreciate too much sun!

Get back to us about the roots...

VickiC · #6 10-06-2009, 07:36 PM

Hi Terri,
I wish I had realized that the bulbs were not emitting anymore than 500fc. I certainly wouldn't have sat my plant under them. If I had just gone ahead and bought that better light meter in the beginning, I doubt that I would have this problem. I really have a hard time letting that dollar go sometimes, though. Anyway, hind sight is 20/20, of course.

I took a paint stirrer and propped the leaf up a bit.....I took a pic for you to check out. I'm sure there must be a better way to do it, but I'm not so good with helpful ideas. Since that didn't totally open the leaf, do you think the sun will open it the rest of the way or not?
Thanks for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I think if it were a root issue you would see wrinkled, dessicated leaves which I see none of. I think the leaf is trying to compensate for not enough light by growing bigger faster. The weight of the leaf is what's making it flop. 500 fc is way too low. I would bump it up to at least 1000. Can you prop the leaf up temporarily in the right postion until the leaf hardens up?

VickiC · #7 10-06-2009, 08:09 PM

Hi King,
I'm apparently a slow learner because it has taken quite awhile for me to understand that a phal doesn't naturally grow upright.....so thank you for reminding me. I'll repot the correct way next time I get one.

Also, thank you so much for the link. No, I haven't seen the pics before.....they are interesting.

As always, I appreciate your help,
Vicki

Quote:

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 · #8 10-06-2009, 09:11 PM

I have this problem with some of my phals and there under catt lighting. These are the larger leaf phals hybirds. I also noticed these leaves tend to be bigger during the summer months then the chilly months, its just the way they grow.

I just use a plant spike clip until they harden up - its about a weeks time
Oh btw - the larger leaf phrags can do this to

seamonkey · #9 10-06-2009, 09:29 PM

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 · #10 10-07-2009, 01:23 PM

Hi Gloria,
I know almost nothing about the different phal characterics, so it never crossed my mind that this phal could be the type you mentioned. It's really good to know, so thank you.....I'm gonna try to read up more about this. I was concerned because I had never seen a leaf flop over to one side as this one does.

I have one more question, though. I must be really dense, because I can't figure out how you use a plant spike clip in this situation. I'm assuming you're referring to the little butterfly-like spring clips. ??

I'm sorry to bother you again, but I would appreciate your help.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

I have this problem with some of my phals and there under catt lighting. These are the larger leaf phals hybirds. I also noticed these leaves tend to be bigger during the summer months then the chilly months, its just the way they grow.

I just use a plant spike clip until they harden up - its about a weeks time
Oh btw - the larger leaf phrags can do this to