is this normal?? - Orchid Board

mattryan · #1 08-03-2010, 04:57 PM

I have a question about this phal. I've had this phal since approx end of last yr beginning off this can't remember? Anyway it had two spikes when i got it I ended cutting off the spikes in april. It has been growing lots of new roots, but only has 3 leaves and it doesn't look like any are coming anytime soon. My question is why does the crown look like that and is it normal? I have another phal that is in the process of growing a keiki and it has a gap like this 1 in it's crown. Can 3 leaves sustain this plant? It doesn't look like it is in any distress, just wondering if there is anything i should watch for? Any help would be great

Thanks all!

britbloke · #2 08-03-2010, 09:47 PM

The leaves look fine to me.
It's usual for Phals to have just a few large leaves. As long as it's growing roots and the leaves stay healthy, I'd say you're fine.
Phal. spikes can re-bloom on the old spike, so it's worth leaving them in place. I've heard it said (although I have no experience) eventually you should cut off the spike, because they can eventually "bloom themselves to death" (i.e, put too much energy into the flowers at the expense of the plant).

Zoi2 · #3 08-03-2010, 11:27 PM

Your potting media is a bit close to the crown so water has probably seeped in. I would watch that very closely as it will rot the crown.
Joann

RosieC · #4 08-04-2010, 10:09 AM

I think the crown looks normal to me, but like Joann says just watch for signs of rot in there.

I often have ones which are not growing leaves for a while, some produce leaves all the time, others only ocasionally. When they are not producing leaves the crown looks just like that.

I tend to always remove the spike but some like to leave them. It it turns brown then it's dead so remove it, if it stays green then it's up to you. If you do remove it then it will grow another when it's ready to flower.

jrodpad · #5 08-04-2010, 10:43 AM

Matt,

I think it's totally normal. I have a phal that will only keep 3 leaves and it's doing great. It throws out new roots all the time and seems to be happy. Whenever it starts sending out a new leaf, the oldest one turns yellow, shrivels up and falls off.

I've never seen a gap in the crown like that before - but I'm not much of a phal guy so that's not saying much. If you're concerned about loosing the crown, you might try putting some stoprot on the end of a toothpic and dabbing a bit in the opening.

Ultimately, if the phal looks happy and it's growing roots well I wouldn't worry.

- J

mattryan · #6 08-04-2010, 12:12 PM

Thankyou very much for the responses, I've never seen a gap like that either..it's been the same way since i got this phal at the beginning of the yr...so hopefully it won't be a problem. I will move the medium back from the crown, i have a fan running all day/night lately as it has been so hot and humid here. Thanks again all

Orchidflowerchild · #7 08-08-2010, 07:27 PM

If you have had loss or damage of the crown, so long as the rest of the plant is healthy and rooting, you will usually get a new crown forming from a lateral meristem, in due time.

Orchidflowerchild · #8 08-08-2010, 07:37 PM

So long as the leaves remain turgid and there is root growth, even if you have had damage to or loss of the crown, your plant can develop a new crown from a lateral meristem.

BobInBonita · #9 08-09-2010, 01:13 AM

I agree with all comments about the general health.

The only thing nobody has specifically commented on is the leaf color (a nice olive green). I personally think this is a good color for most phals. Lighter and I worry about sunburn (some phals will get a reddish tint as they approach their max light). Darker green and they could use more light.

RosieC · #10 08-09-2010, 07:59 AM

I agree leaf colour looks good and healthy.

There are some Phals (depending on parantage) which can be naturally paler or darker then this, but in general the colour of yours is a good healthy colour.