Sunburned Phal - Orchid Board

Caelleigh · #1 07-09-2010, 11:34 PM

So, I've only been an orchid owner for about a year and yesterday I did a stupid thing. My orchids usually sit by the kitchen window, but it was so hot that we finally put in the air conditioner- meaning, I had to move my orchids. I set them outside. I thought- it's warm and sunny, while inside it would be cold and dark.
And I forgot them. Today I looked outside and was shocked. All of my leaves were bleached white and limp. I understand that it is probably sunburn, but it is so much worse than anything I've been able to look up and I don't know what to do.
Help?

Call_Me_Bob · #2 07-09-2010, 11:36 PM

ive never seen white leaves, but i would suspect sunburn

bdelfiero · #3 07-10-2010, 02:02 AM

I think it will still thrive a long as the crown is not damaged. Or the other thing is wait for the basal keiki to emerge.

CTB · #4 07-10-2010, 07:44 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board, sorry to see your sunburned orchids, so sad, they will recover just care for them as usually and wait for new leaves.

RosieC · #5 07-10-2010, 08:31 AM

Welcome to Orchid Board.

I've not seen sun-burn turn them so white, but it does give the impression of sun-burn.

I don't think those leaves will recover, but leave them on unless the plant decides to drop them it's self. I think all you can do is care for them as normal and hopefully new healthy leaves will grow and eventually replace the damaged ones.

mspatt · #6 07-10-2010, 10:05 AM

I have a couple of phals that have been sunburned, though not as badly as yours. The problem is that, yes, the plant will recover, but it takes ages (literally years) for the plant to grow enough new leaves to make the sunburned leaves drop off. In the meantime, the plant looks atrocious!

I suppose you could cut off the damaged leaves and just go with the green and growing crown, but give it a while to recuperate from the shock it has had.

If you ever want to show an orchid, or if you are at all concerned with this one's appearance (mine bother me!!), you might consider buying another; don't get rid of the sun damaged one, just add it to your collection and be prepared for a long wait...

susiep · #7 07-10-2010, 12:47 PM

Welcome to OB, Caelleigh. Sorry about your phals.

I hate to tell this but your plants might not make it. The damage to to over 75% of each plant and includes the crown. But don't toss them yet. When the dying process stops and the leaves harden up, just trim off the dead part and leave the green. The green will still be able to do photosynthesis. I aways trim just along the edge of the dead area. Leaving a dead edge to the leaf about 1/2" wide. This is a natural seal. If you cut into the green you are opening up the plant to pathogens again. But let it dry out from the burn first.

The sad thing is your plants would have been ok with the air condioning. I move mine in and out a lot and I always do it at night when the outside temp is closest to the house temp. Then they can slowly warm up or cool down over hours. We have about a 25 degree difference between inside and outside but the plants handle it amazingly well if I do it at night. Even the coldest air conditioned house is only about 70 degrees right? Just try to keep them in the brightest spot. Besides it is only temporary.

Don't feel bad, we have all lost plants to sunburn. I recently lost a specimen sized B nodosa that I had grown from a tiny cutting. It got a bad burn and then fungus or bacteria attacked and it was gone in a week.

I hated myself for that one. However I bought a new one at the next show and felt a little better. Be it was a hard lesson learned. And I have been growing for 35 years. Live and learn!