The Phal abuse ends here. - Page 67 - Orchid Board

Seewah86 · #**661** 07-31-2013, 05:54 PM

I have a grocery store phal that has been doing really well. It's been in bloom for a good couple of months. Lately, however, I've been wondering if there's something strange going on with it's leaves. First of all they are pretty thin limp. But they seem to be the right color or maybe just a tad on the light side. Secondly, there are two very long leaves on each side at the top that are so long and heavy they hold the smaller leaves down under them. The leaves are smooth. One leaf at the top (a bigger one) is kind of twisted and wrinkly. Any thoughts? I'm a total newb.

Not sure how to successfully upload pics. Tried linking to imgur but it says post denied.

butterfly_muse · #**662** 07-31-2013, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seewah86

I have a grocery store phal that has been doing really well. It's been in bloom for a good couple of months. Lately, however, I've been wondering if there's something strange going on with it's leaves. First of all they are pretty thin limp. But they seem to be the right color or maybe just a tad on the light side. Secondly, there are two very long leaves on each side at the top that are so long and heavy they hold the smaller leaves down under them. The leaves are smooth. One leaf at the top (a bigger one) is kind of twisted and wrinkly. Any thoughts? I'm a total newb.

Not sure how to successfully upload pics. Tried linking to imgur but it says post denied.

You have to post 5 posts before you can upload pictures. Is it in moss? Are its roots okay, have you examined them?

Seewah86 · #**663** 07-31-2013, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

You have to post 5 posts before you can upload pictures. Is it in moss? Are its roots okay, have you examined them?

Ah that makes sense. It is not in moss. It's in Miracle Grow Orchid Mix: Coarse Blend. The roots looked great the last time I had them out of the pot (unfortunately my first mistake was putting it in a pot I couldn't see through).

butterfly_muse · #**664** 07-31-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Ah that makes sense. It is not in moss. It's in Miracle Grow Orchid Mix: Coarse Blend. The roots looked great the last time I had them out of the pot (unfortunately my first mistake was putting it in a pot I couldn't see through).

If it's a phalaenopsis, I have seen many, many orchids die from that mix

It's too soil-y for them and it suffocates their roots. They are better off in bark mix. If you have a Lowes or Home Depot near by, BetterGro has an orchid mix that is bark, perlite and charcoal that is pretty cheap you can pot your guy into. I think you might have your problem bc the roots might be rotting from too much moisture and there aren't enough left to support the entirety of the plant and its flowers. Might ought to take it out and have a look.

Seewah86 · #**665** 07-31-2013, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

If it's a phalaenopsis, I have seen many, many orchids die from that mix

It's too soil-y for them and it suffocates their roots. They are better off in bark mix. If you have a Lowes or Home Depot near by, BetterGro has an orchid mix that is bark, perlite and charcoal that is pretty cheap you can pot your guy into. I think you might have your problem bc the roots might be rotting from too much moisture and there aren't enough left to support the entirety of the plant and its flowers. Might ought to take it out and have a look.

Ugh! This makes me a sad panda. How is it someone can sell a product meant for a specific plant that just ends up killing it? Thank you for the advice. I think if I make one more post I can share some pictures.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:43 PM ----------

Orchid Leaves - Imgur

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------

Ciara's Orchids - Imgur Orchid 2 is the one in question.

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 PM ----------

There. Maybe that will help a bit too.

butterfly_muse · #**666** 07-31-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seewah86

Ugh! This makes me a sad panda. How is it someone can sell a product meant for a specific plant that just ends up killing it? Thank you for the advice. I think if I make one more post I can share some pictures.

---------- Post added at 05:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:43 PM ----------

Orchid Leaves - Imgur

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 PM ----------

Ciara's Orchids - Imgur Orchid 2 is the one in question.

---------- Post added at 05:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:56 PM ----------

There. Maybe that will help a bit too.

Some orchids are terrestrial so the mix works for them. Some...but not many.

Your orchid actually looks pretty happy to me. It looks healthy from what I can see. If you think it has gone floppy, though, it won't hurt you to look at its leaves. Also, sudden changes in temp (hot or cold) can cause limp leaves.

Seewah86 · #**667** 07-31-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Your orchid actually looks pretty happy to me. It looks healthy from what I can see. If you think it has gone floppy, though, it won't hurt you to look at its leaves. Also, sudden changes in temp (hot or cold) can cause limp leaves.

The weather here has been pretty up and down. We've had hot muggy days and very strange low temp days lately. Right now it's a bit chilly but tomorrow it's gonna be 80 something again. And did you mean "look at it's roots?"

butterfly_muse · #**668** 07-31-2013, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seewah86

The weather here has been pretty up and down. We've had hot muggy days and very strange low temp days lately. Right now it's a bit chilly but tomorrow it's gonna be 80 something again. And did you mean "look at it's roots?"

Yes. Sorry, my morning coffee wore off hours ago...*cry*

Seewah86 · #**669** 07-31-2013, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Yes. Sorry, my morning coffee wore off hours ago...*cry*

Haha! No worries. I know that feeling. I'll definitely look into the mix you suggested. I'll have to try Lowes as my Wal Mart doesn't carry anything other than the Miracle Grow mix. I lost my first Phal to root rot so I'm kind of worried about this one. I'm particularly fond of it.

Seewah86 · #**670** 08-01-2013, 11:10 AM

Well, this morning I went to six different stores to look for the BetterGro mix. Not a single one carried it. Instead, I came home with Espoma Organic Orchid Mix. Contains 65-75% western fir bark, perlite, and charcoal. I hope this is acceptable. It was literally the only mix I could find that wasn't solely bark or moss. I'm pretty surprised at the lack of orchid supplies sold in stores considering how popular orchids are. Too bad.