Phalaenopsis Orchid (in sphagnum moss) leaves turning yellow and flowers dying.

[Rachelle-lapensee]

Thank-you RosieC for your advice on clipping the spike I have done that and hope that it will help my Phal out.

To quote you on one of your earlier messages ( I don't necessarily thing the pot is the problem, sorry if I wasn't clear on that. It's just that (in Europe at least) they seem to be associated with very very tightly packed, already smelling moss.

I can see in the pics on this thread that there is that green look to the moss which says to me it could already be decaying just as I've seen in the same type of pots over here. The ones I've had problems with look exactly the same with the roots very tightly packed)

Yes The moss was very tightly packed in this pot but the moss was not green It was brown and there was no smell coming from the moss at all.... Maybe It was not that far gone, perhaps the problem arose when I dunked it to make sure it had the water it needed (witch in my experience has never killed any plants with dried out medium before). Perhaps it did not need to be watered for a wile, but because I could feel that the top and bottom were dry for a few days I did so, not knowing how tightly packed the moss actually was (the moss was probably still quite moist in the center) therefore causing the orchids roots to start rotting...

[RosieC]

Does sound like it was not too far gone then. As you say it's difficult to know how damp it can stay in that tight packed moss.

Sounds like you're doing the right things anyway. Good Luck.

[Rachelle-lapensee]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Does sound like it was not too far gone then. As you say it's difficult to know how damp it can stay in that tight packed moss.

Sounds like you're doing the right things anyway. Good Luck.

And Thank you everyone for all your help and support!!! Today I look at my Orchid And I notice that it is doing better!!! The leaves have darkened in color and it looks like it is perkier today!! hopefully it will keep getting better .

[frostedeyes]

picture please it might give u a specific reason.

potted to loose may cause a drop leaf (turn yellow and dies)
poor air circulation
humidity level
to wet or to dry? *lead to bacterial or fungi rot

well... i quit on putting my phals in pot. after mounting them in my dead tree... all my problems are solved... and im happy with the result no more money wasting! hahaha and doesnt bother if it rains or not.

[frostedeyes]

actually for phals to grow better they should be tightly packed... to the point that if your moving your pot the base of your phal wont move... its dat tight... why? because orchids wont grow roots if their foundation isnt stable. for me i just use a straw and wrap my phals on a tree... tightly of course... 1/2 inch below the base of the phal.. but i dont follow as long as they wont move!

[Rachelle-lapensee]

I have a question to ask... I hear that phals don't do well when moved, or disturbed. Is there any truth to that? Will it stunt the growth of the plant or will it kill it? Where do you draw the line between to much handling and just enough? Is it going to bug the plant and you happen to brush it's leave every once and a wile?

Hopefully someone can help me with this little question...

Thank-you

[nenella]

"I have a question to ask... I hear that phals don't do well when moved, or disturbed. Is there any truth to that? "
I don't think phals have much of a problem with being disturbed ........ IMOP It's better to 'disturb' and make sure the roots are really healthy than shy away.. healthy roots usually means leaves & spikes to follow (if light correct) just my 1cent worth..

[RosieC]

I think sometimes it can cause flowers/buds to drop premeturely if they are moved between very different enviroments.

However I don't believe it affects the plant it's self and I don't think you could ever kill one that way.

[frostedeyes]

before when i was an amateur i get frantic and kept on moving and checking! hahaha they all died!!!! i think disturbing isnt the problem... the idea is to plant the base well that it wont move..planting it tight and secure.. so it wont cause leaf drop. you will know if you didnt plant it properly... a few days your leaf will turned yellow... usually starts below then climbs on top... but... if it remains like that a for a week then its okay..just give some time to grow roots.. sometimes they are pretty lazy!

[frostedeyes]

if i were you... if you really wanna learn how to grow orchids...you should start talking with the experts.. the ones that really grow or bred. you will notice that they abused their orchids in the harshest way and they dont mind. actually they laugh at me!