Q: I've just recently bought 1 Phal (or multiple Phals) in bloom from a place such as The Home Depot. The blooms were nice, big, and beautiful. Why is it dying?
A: This is a trick question.
Q: Why is this a trick question?
A: This is a trick question because the only bits of information being supplied are:
1. You have a
Phal or multiple Phals.
2. You bought them in bloom.
3. The flowers were big and pretty.
Q: I don't quite understand... The Phal was in bloom when I purchased it, isn't it supposed to be healthy? I mean it bloomed right? It's gotta be a healthy plant because it bloomed, correct?
A: Now we're getting somewhere...and not in the way that you think!
How you've posed the question indicates that the factors which formed the basis of whether you thought the plant was healthy or not, falls on whether the plant was in bloom and how nice looking the flowers were!
Q: I don't get it. What do you mean?
A: The assumption being made is that a blooming plant is a healthy plant.
Q: Okay... You're right, that's what I was thinking. Am I wrong?
A: Cool. Now I know where the thought process is going.
It is absolutely wrong to
solely base the health of a
Phal according to whether the plant is in bloom or not. It is also incorrect to assume that a
Phal with nice big blooms are healthy.
Q: Why?
A: A blooming plant with nice, big, and pretty flowers is only
1 indicator of a plant's health. It is
not the tell tale sign that it is 100% in good health.
Q: Why?
A: First of all...flowers are the genitalia of plants.
Then there's...
Sometimes orchids will bloom when they're dying. It is a form of bailout to attempt to ensure their propagation and survival! Not necessarily because they're in the greatest of health. It just means they had enough energy to warrant reproduction.
Q: Oh... So what are stronger indicators of a healthy Phal?
A:
1. Look for strong root systems.
The roots should be turgid.
Any black, beige, or brown, soft and mushy roots are dead or dying.
The body of the roots should be a shiny white. Root tips can vary from being green to a reddish brown - almost coffee color.
2. Look for strong and properly hydrated stems.
The stems should be turgid and firm to the touch.
Do not purchase plants with bruises in the stem area, as that could be a sign of a bacterial infection or a fungal infection, more generally called "crown rot".
3. Look for properly hydrated leaves with as little physical damage as possible.
Make sure they are turgid and not bruised. Bruised leaves may be physical damage or in the worse case scenario is a bacterial infection.
Any sized black rings with a yellow halo effect around those black rings is suspect as that is potentially an active fungal infection.
4. Look at the inflorescence. It should be turgid and either green or green with a purple tint.
5. Look at the buds. They should not look shriveled and yellowing. If they are, they were stressed.
6. Look for unblemished flowers with properly formed sepals, petals, and labellum.
Watery streaks are usually a sign of viral infection.
Small black spots are usually fungal infections (not serious).
7. Avoid purchasing plants that are heavily infected with aphids, white flies, or mealies. These plants could be severly weakened.
This selection process actually carries over to not just Phals, but other orchids and other plants as well.
For any specific questions regarding diseases, the OB has a "Pests & Diseases" forum.
Q: I didn't realize there were that many factors involved in picking out a healthy plant! Are there any shortcuts?
A: Unfortunately, no.
: Philip!
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