All leaves are falling off my Phalaeonopsis. - Orchid Board

scorchid · #1 07-24-2010, 01:54 AM

I rescued an orchid from my co-worker on maternity leave. The medium was all covered in mold. It was growing in a moss, I think. So I replanted into bark and fed it. Now all the blooms are gone. Did I totally destroy it or is there hope?? The plant and roots look great. I didn't know if I should cut it back or leave it. I moved it downstairs to a cooler environment. It gets hot up here in the summer. I didn't know if that was part of the problem as well. Any advice would be great!!

WhiteRabbit · #2 07-24-2010, 02:15 AM

Hi and welcome!
I'm confused ? the title of your post says the leaves all fell off, but in your post you said the plant looks good ?
Did you mean all the blooms fell off?
If so, and the plant looks good I wouldn't worry - the plant may have been done blooming, or a change in environment may have caused the blooms to drop

RosieC · #3 07-24-2010, 05:45 AM

I agree with WhiteRabbit, if it is just the blooms and the roots and leaves are good then don't worry about it, it's just normal.

If the leaves have fallen on the other hand, then I don't think it's what you did, but the rotten/moldy moss. Sounds like you did the right things, if all the leaves are gone it is probably beyond saving though.

Ray · #4 07-24-2010, 10:42 AM

And you do NOT want to move it to a cooler environment, as phals grow naturally in quite hot conditions.

Izzie · #5 07-24-2010, 02:34 PM

The change in temperature could definitely cause all the buds to blast.
I too am curious as to whether it is the leaves or the blooms that have fallen...
And Ray is right, these guys will prefer a warmer environment. Perhaps not in the high 80s or 90s.

phalaephila · #6 07-24-2010, 04:07 PM

Temperatures in the mid- to upper-80s are no problem for phals, that's the temperature they are used to in native habitat, according to several species profiles in OrchidWiz.

marydaniellesantos · #7 07-24-2010, 04:21 PM

White Rabbit and the rest said it all!

On top of repotting, which is a good thing if there was mold, change in environment might have caused it to drop the blooms.

As for temperature, it's all what works for each person, I for one have my house at 60-65 F in the day and 65-70 F at night. My phals love it, they get bright indirect light, lots of nutrition, careful waterings, and a ton of love. I'm sure a few people will agree that sometimes an orchid will stay happy as long as the roots are happy.

Btw, Welcome to the Orchid Board!

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 07-24-2010, 04:29 PM

Phals are native to warm low to midland tropical environments. They are found in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

Temperature ranges of tolerance are between 60 F and 95 F.

The humidity that Phals thrive in is somewhere around 60% or higher.

Phals also grow underneath the forest canopy, in shaded areas. So their light tolerance is within the shade to bright shade range.

I recommend doing a Google or Flickr search for "Phalaenopsis in situ". Find pics of them growing in the wild. Read their blogs. Find out what it's like where they grow.

scorchid · #9 07-25-2010, 03:41 AM

I am sorry. Blooms. I meant blooms. See, I am a newbie when it comes to orchids. I am a true succulent girl. Ha ha. I was worried about the heat upstairs because it can go as high as 95 in my house. Downstairs it runs around 75-80. I have no A/C and didn't want it to dry out too fast. I will continue to feed and water as directed by you all. The rest of the plant looks great. Thanks for all the great advice!