Phal Sunburn or Overwatering or Fungus? - Orchid Board

KTorchid · #1 03-15-2010, 06:10 PM

Hi Guys,

I'm new to this chat board and have only been growing orchids for about a year. Both are Phals and have been fine up until now. Now I think that they are either sun-burned (i placed them in a new spot before I went away for a weekend and now they are all yellow) but I think I may have been overwatering them too? They both have drainage at the bottom of their pots, and while i water them maybe 2 times a week, I never do it that heavily. I'm mainly concerned about my bigger one, the leaves are yellowing in the center with one of the younger leaves having a brown edge along the leaves. I repotted them and while doing that trimmed some roots that didn;t look so hot. Now I'm just sitting and waiting while they are in a less sunny place and not watering them. Here is a picture, do you guys think I handled the situation properly? I really want to keep these guys alive!

Thanks for your input

BikerDoc5968 · #2 03-15-2010, 07:03 PM

Can't really tell much from your pic. As long as there were some good roots, continue watering as the pot gets lighter.... you don't want to over water. Keep water out of the crown and they should be able to take lots of light but not direct sunlight. Sunburn on phals will start as a deep purple unless you really scorch the devil out of it and then it will be brown or black.

KTorchid · #3 03-16-2010, 09:57 AM

I know the picture isnt that great, my camera isnt that good and has a hard time focusing on stuff up close. I turned the flash off though, so the lighter colored spots are the actual color of the leave, not a reflection of the flash. Here are some others. I think that I might remember getting a little water in the crown by accident before I went away, would this be enough to cause this problem? THere are also little white dots on a few of the leaves where they seem the most yellow. I tried to get a picture, but they didnt come out well.

tuvoc · #4 03-16-2010, 10:19 AM

Your plant doesn't look too bad to me. The yellowing could be a bit too much direct sun, but it doesn't look like a bad burn. I also think you could water a bit more. Remember that new medium will dry out a lot faster than older. I don't let my Phals dry out completely. Also, feed it with a high nitrogen fertiliser should help too. Weakly weekly works for me.

Kim

BikerDoc5968 · #5 03-16-2010, 12:19 PM

If you're having issues with your camera and it is a "point and shot" type, it should have a picture of a tulip/flower on the selection knob. This will allow the auto focus option to function properly... but then you probably knew that. Try shooting at different angles to make what you want to show stand out more. As kim said, your plant doesn't look all that bad and water more with the new media and the white could be mineral buildup????

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 03-16-2010, 03:24 PM

I'd add, change the potting media out. It looks like it's breaking down fairly quickly.

KTorchid · #7 03-16-2010, 05:03 PM

Thanks a lot for all your help guys! I'll let ya know if things take a turn for the worse.

KTorchid · #8 03-18-2010, 07:16 PM

Just noticed something on my plant, it is subtle and not that big of an area, but there is some purple tinted shading on the newest leaf that was not there previously. I'm assuming this is sunburn. What is the best way to treat for sunburn? I obviously removed it from where it was and had kept it in a room with really diffuse light for a few days, is there anything else to treat sunburn?

dounoharm · #9 03-18-2010, 08:03 PM

there is no way to counteract sunburn....once there its there...it looks like your case is very mild however and i wouldnt worry about it....your watering twice a week worries me tho....i would rethink that....if you could water more thoroughly and less frequently it might help...and remember, no water in the crown!.....gl!!

KTorchid · #10 03-29-2010, 12:39 PM

ok, so I went away overnight again, and I'm not sure if it's just cuz I was away from them for a little while, but my chids look worse. I think that the largest oldest bottom leave is now not only yellow but becomming brown- considering cutting it off. There also appear to be more small white spots (i couldnt get them with the camera) and this weird texture on some of the leaves. Not sure whats wrong. I've been watering more thoroughly but much less often, and put them in a shadier place. Any ideas?