Is my mini Phal dying?

[jamielewis35]

I really appreciate y'all helping me figure out what is going on with my orchid and providing me with info to help keep it happy and healthy

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

For future reference...

Phals usually don't grow on moss covered trees. Some do, but it's rare, and the moss is usually in small thin sparse patches.

Phals tend to grow on trees that are usually barren of moss or lichens.

The humidity of the places they come from vary within the range of 50% through 80%.

The large amounts of seasonal rain from the rain forest provides a lot of the moisture.

Some species also tend to grow in swamp forests.



What I've mentioned so far, is part of the challenge of growing Phalaenopsis.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Beautiful pot, but it might be too big for the plant.

The problem will be an uneven distribution of moisture in the potting medium. In other words, because the root mass is most likely not as large as that pot, there is nothing to get rid of the excess moisture in certain areas within the potting media. This excess moisture will in turn over time, develop problems with root rot, because the excess moisture is not allowing the plant's roots to breath (suffocation).

Root rot will lead to premature leaf yellowing and leaf drop. It may also make the plant skip blooming cycles.

[jamielewis35]

Thanks...I'll get a smaller pot when I get bark medium to repot in. How tight a fit would you recommend?

[Call_Me_Bob]

That media looks way too compact. The only clerical orchid mix I have had success with is hoffmans organic orchid mix. It's not the same quality as you'll get at repotme.com or anything, but it can be found locally and shouldn't be too bad.

Does the pot have any kind of drainage?


You can call me Bob

[jamielewis35]

The pot actually does drain very well. New medium that isn't so compact has already been recommended, and I'll definately be changing it out

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Photos of Phals in-situ (translates to "in site" - aka in the wild).

http://www.ibanorum.netfirms.com/Lundu-orchid190207.jpg

These ones are difficult to spot unless you know what you're looking at. Look at the middle of the photo, to the right of the tree trunk, you'll see a yellow-green star shaped flower with a magenta colored patch on the bottom of it, that's turned at an angle facing the left side of the photo. Behind this flower, you'll see the classic floppy paddle shaped leaves of the Phal. There's another Phal on the bottom left corner hanging off a branch. 2 more are hanging off the branch in the middle of the trunk on the left side of the photo. This is a photo of Phal. bellina in-situ:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_F4h2El7hQQo/Sy...jpg?imgmax=800

This one is an example of a Phal. maculata growing on a tree covered in moss, but notice how patchy and sparse the moss is. Also notice how the roots are not buried in the moss, they're growing over the moss.

http://www.nationaalherbarium.nl/pub...aAS_97-135.jpg

This one's a video example of Phals found growing in a swamp forest:

Video: Phalaenopsis in situ | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I suggest reading the blogs too.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Get as tight of a pot as you can comfortably fit the living root mass in without damaging them.