Can anyone help me these Phals?

[Vanessa]

Ok, here are pics of 2 of the sicko's my snowbird friend gave me. I've never seen this before in a Phal. She has them growing in aussie gold. The new leaf on both look deformed. I would appreciate any words of wisdom about these 2 guys.



and then this:

[mayres]

You may not like the media, but I doubt the problem stems from this. I actually use something similar and my 35 phals LOVE IT. You just have to learn how to not overwater it. I'm wondering if it might be something like overfertilized? Sprayed with something? Certainly some sort of trauma.........

[Ross]

I have seen this. It comes from damage of some sort in the crown when the leaf was first emerging. I have found that, while they may not look the best, the leaf "should" mature and chances are, in your loving care, the next one won'y have this same traight. Guess time will tell.

[gands]

I am wondering if there has been some critter damage. The 2nd photo looks almost like some chewing has occurred, or maybe some scale as I can see a few little spots here and there on other leaves. Definitely not a mix problem.

[matucana]

Hi all,

Ross is right - a crown damage, or maybe a water or nutrient damage, as the leaf was emerging.

As for the substrate - growing an epiphytic orchid in soil like that is like growing a cactus under water IMHO. I would change it ASAP.

[Vanessa]

Thank you one and all. I unpotted and found the roots to be dead except for a few near the top base of the 'chid. Trimmed them up and gave them a nice bath in root hormone and put them in a mix especially for Phals........they are looking perky already. You guys are the best!