Mixed peloric a sign of phalaenopsis stress? Related root issues? - Orchid Board

bmktdan · #1 06-08-2011, 05:48 PM

I purchased a very nice no-name phal last August from a supermarket. It had two inflorescences at the time, which I cut back as the blooms dropped from each. Both rebloomed, and a third spike joined the party. It's in the process now of putting on its second leaf since I've had it, and has two root/spike buds forming at the base and has added a few roots over the last couple of months. All indications are that this plant is loving life.

However, I've got two issues and want to make sure that I'm keeping this plant as healthy as possible. First, one of the spikes that rebloomed came back peloric. It wasn't peloric in the first case, and the other inflorescences are normal. Is this a sign that the orchid is stressed in some way?

Second, some of the roots have brown patches on them. I'm not too concerned about this as they generally seem harmless, but every now and then I notice that an area on the root will sort of shrivel. I'm wondering if there's something I can do to prevent this, or if it's just a natural part of the aging process.

The phal sits on a northeast windowsill in my bathroom that catches just the tiniest bit of morning sun during the summer. I water it weekly, and it gets a nice blast of humidity from the shower every day. I fertilize very weakly with an all-purpose fertilizer on the order of once a month, give or take (yes, I know, the urea won't break down properly, but there are other sources of nitrogen in the mix).

When these blooms drop should I try to encourage it to bloom again, or is it time to give this plant a rest? Take a look at the pictures below to get a sense of the plant and the issues I mentioned.

Thanks in advance,
Dan

My lovely phal.

One of the peloric flowers next to a normal one from a separate inflorescence.

Note the roots on the right hand side -- very dark brown spot, and also some of the roots that have shriveled up.

Zoi2 · #2 06-08-2011, 06:24 PM

Hello and welcome to the OB!
You have a lovely phal and it seems to like the culture you are giving it.
As to your questions:
I don't know about the peloric part--I have a phal that blooms peloric from one spike and normal on the other spike every year (last 4 years).
The roots that are drying out are ariel roots that are not getting enough moisture, you can mist these roots to keep them silver/green. The brown patch is GOOD, that is the growing tip of the root. Sometimes they are green and sometimes a reddish brown.
What do the roots look like in the pot?
When was the last time you repotted this plant?
Joann

bmktdan · #3 06-08-2011, 06:53 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the quick reply, Joann.

I've had the plant for less than a year and have not yet repotted it. It's planted directly in the container (no clear plastic insert) so I don't have a very good way to get at the roots below the surface. I know that bark breaks down more slowly than moss, but are you suspicious that my plant needs new medium or has outgrown its container?

The brown patch that had me concerned is a little to the right of what you commented on - the horizontal, older root, not the vertical one. Since it didn't catch your eye, I'm guessing that it isn't really a problem, other than just being kept too dry. Several of the aerial roots go corkscrewing up a few inches, and it's very clear that the reddish brown areas are actively growing - a good sign as you indicated.

If I do begin misting it on a regular basis, should I cut back on the weekly watering?

Dan

Gin · #4 06-08-2011, 07:25 PM

I have one that blooms peloric sometimes and sometimes not . Very Pretty Phal. it looks happy

Zoi2 · #5 06-08-2011, 11:39 PM

Phals and most other orchids like to be a bit under potted so the size of your pot is fine.
When the plant finishes with the blooms would be a good time to pull it out of the pot, check roots and replace the potting media.
Sorry I didn't see your "problem" root. It looks like a dehydrated aerial root. When you repot you can cut out all the dead roots.
You have some nice fat new roots growing so I don't believe I'd bother with misting or change anything in the way you are growing. The plant looks great.
Joann

bmktdan · #6 06-09-2011, 02:23 AM

Thanks, Gin. I think it's a nice plant, too.

I did a little reading about peloria, but most of what I found seemed as though it was sort of all or nothing - a mutation that conferred the irregularity consistently, or normal flowering. A couple other places chalked up some occurrences to possible hormonal imbalances or something similar, so I wanted to correct this if I was mishandling the orchid in some way. I can read as well as anyone, but I don't have the experience to know what subtle signs I might be missing: thus, to the experts! Knowing that at least one person who knows what they're doing experiences a similar issue is comforting and suggests that it might just be random.

I'll keep to the current regimen based on the advice I've been given. When the blooms drop, I'll repot it. Perhaps I'll follow up with some pictures around that time.

Thanks again,
Dan