Wilting mini phal

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by CTB

Could be just a shock from repotting it, usually you wait till the flowers are finished before you repot. I always say I bought it for the flowers I'm going to enjoy them first. When the flowers are finished just cut your spike in half, and maybe it will rebloom for you.

That true, but it you have any doubts about the health of the roots (or have nasty tightly packed sphag) it's better to repot right away. And you can always enjoy the blooms next time if the current ones blast.

As to cutting the spike 'in half', that's a matter of personal preference. Personally I never do it, forcing the plant to rebloom just weakens the plant and the side spikes are usually not very nice. Like I said though, it's personal preference.

[orchidsamore]

Mini Phals have unique requirements from regular Phals.

They are very young plants as well as being miniatures. First year flowering plants are never as strong as older plants. Cattleya and even Vanda have the same characteristics but usually not as noticed by hobbyist.

I have hundreds of them and find I can only expect about 6-8 weeks out of the flowers although I expect better as they get older next year.

I find that the smallest buds often dry out without opening. The problem with minis is they need more frequent watering because the pots are so small. I would never try growing them in Florida without Sphagnum moss.

Because the pots are so small it is easy to underwater by pouring water over the plant. The roots are so tightly compressed in the pot that the water does not soak the moss. Dunking is a better way to water these.

I water with a low volume spray for 1- 1 1/2 hours and still I find plants that have not had enough water soak into the plant medium.

[occ2405]

Be careful with cold drafts and temperature fluctuations @ night.