Phals: root rot, dormancy, and dying leaf?

[ceropegia]

Hello all, I'm new to the forum.

I've had my 4" phal for 2 years now and it hasn't bloomed since I got it. I purchased it in the summer right after it had bloomed (a sale orchid at lowe's) so I didn't expect it to bloom for awhile. It didn't grow any new leaves until last summer, when it put out 1 long skinny leaf and a smaller, shorter leaf. It hasn't shown any signs of blooming since I got it. Could it be dormant, or is there another problem?

All 3 of my phals (a 4" and 2 3" "minis" of unknown color) seem to have a touch of root rot, as you can see in the photos. I repotted the two minis recently and one has grown a small spike, despite the fact that some of its roots are shrivelled and one of the leaves is turning yellow.

Should I cut the shrivelled roots off? I've done it once before, but there was a thick green vein inside and I was afraid I was cutting into a living root even though it looked dead on the outside. Any advice?

Also, is it normal for the leaves to turn yellow while the flower is starting to spike? Ive heard some people say it is, while others say it isn't.

Sorry for all the questions! I've been wondering about them for awhile, so I decided to join the forum and ask.

Oh, and here's some info as to how I'm growing them:

-all 3 are in an east-facing window
-the 4" is in a sphagnum/bark mix, the other 2 are in sphagnum
-the window gets cool at night and the room is warm during the day
-all 3 get misted each morning and watered when the moss appears stiff and dry

Photos:
#1: "dormant" 4" phal
#2&#3: "mini" phal with root rot, spike, and yellow leaf

[Matilda]

I think they look good. The air roots look like they are drying out a bit but not rotted. I wouldn't worry too much about the leaf, as it appears to be the oldest one.

But wait for someone who knows what they're talking about to answer. I'm a noob too!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Hello all, I'm new to the forum.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Any advice?

Of course!

Originally Posted by ceropegia

I've had my 4" phal for 2 years now and it hasn't bloomed since I got it. I purchased it in the summer right after it had bloomed (a sale orchid at lowe's) so I didn't expect it to bloom for awhile. It didn't grow any new leaves until last summer, when it put out 1 long skinny leaf and a smaller, shorter leaf. It hasn't shown any signs of blooming since I got it. Could it be dormant, or is there another problem?

It's typical Phalaenopsis behavior. They're slow to adjust and establish.

The Phals you own are what I like to call "evergreen Phals". They don't go dormant. They slow their growth down drastically during the cooler months. But they're fully capable of growing during this period - depends on the individual.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Also, is it normal for the leaves to turn yellow while the flower is starting to spike? Ive heard some people say it is, while others say it isn't.

This depends on the context of what else is happening to your Phals.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Oh, and here's some info as to how I'm growing them:

Okay...

Originally Posted by ceropegia

-all 3 are in an east-facing window
-the 4" is in a sphagnum/bark mix, the other 2 are in sphagnum

I don't go by the direction of windows. It's very misleading. I find it easier to determine how much light is available in an area visually, there will be a bit of trial and error.

Of course the better way is to get a light meter.

I also don't recommend growing Phals in full moss. In the wild they grow on trees with little to no moss. They're not growing in a bog full of moss.

Living moss secretes acids. Moss has a very low pH even when it's dead. That could cause problems if the plant never evolved to adapt to such an acidic environment. While it's true they grow in acidic environments, it's only slightly acidic (closer to 6.5 rather than 3 or 4 - remember pH values are exponential not linear functions). Plus moss can compact over time and retains a lot of water for much too long.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

-the window gets cool at night and the room is warm during the day

Your body can fool you. You'd be surprised by what the actual temperature is. I recommend a thermometer and get the real temperature values.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

-all 3 get misted each morning and watered when the moss appears stiff and dry

Misting is generally not necessary. If the humidity is low, I recommend a humidity tray or a humidifier instead of misting.

Here's the other problem with misting...

Most newbies grow their Phals upright. So did I before I found out the truth.

Well, guess what...

Phals don't grow upright, they grow horizontally.

Don't believe me...check this link out:

Phalaenopsis in situ - Flickr: Search

When you're misting, water dribbles into the crown and gets trapped. This leads to causes of problems such as crown rot.

Crown rot is 100% preventable and avoidable. Just do what the Phals want to do, orient them horizontally. If you grow them long enough, they'll lean and position themselves that way anyways.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

All 3 of my phals (a 4" and 2 3" "minis" of unknown color) seem to have a touch of root rot, as you can see in the photos.

It's not root rot, they're shriveled. They're desiccated.

Why are there rocks in there?

Originally Posted by ceropegia

I repotted the two minis recently and one has grown a small spike, despite the fact that some of its roots are shriveled and one of the leaves is turning yellow.

Might be an old leaf. Not sure.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Should I cut the shrivelled roots off? I've done it once before, but there was a thick green vein inside and I was afraid I was cutting into a living root even though it looked dead on the outside.

Try and pull on the roots instead of doing it by sight. If the velamen covering of the roots slough off and you're left with a white or off white/beige wiry core, it's dead and you can cut that portion off.

Originally Posted by ceropegia

Sorry for all the questions! I've been wondering about them for awhile, so I decided to join the forum and ask.

You're not the only one!

I recommend doing an OB search engine search for more Phal info. The information available is ridiculously high.

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[Orchid126]

All three plants look overpotted. Too much medium equals root rot. The pot should be just big enough to accommodate the roots.

In the warmer weather they will benefit from being outside in the shade. Then in the fall they would enjoy about three weeks of cooler night temperatures, which may aid in blooming.