Orchid leaves -- how long do they last?

[cythaenopsis]

When my phal went from 6 flowers in the first bloom cycle I witnessed to 15 in the second bloom cycle, it did this on two large leaves and two smaller ones on top. I made sure it got plenty of light during the winter months, and in fact I let it get a little too exposed at one point; the flesh on one leaf revealed a slightly recessed brick wall pattern on it, indicative of too much sun. I was expecting the overexposed leaf to eventually die off, but it has continued to flourish. It has a nice green coloration to it.

Over exposed leaf:


There is a small leaf underneath it that is starting to yellow a bit, so I expect that one will eventually die off.

So, starting out with 4 leaves when I took ownership, it now has 8 good sized leaves with two new ones sprouting forth from the center.





I've seen some photos of phalaenopsis that had a huge stalk of leaves, leaving me to believe that the older ones can last a few years at least. What's the general recommendation on care for them? I would imagine the more leaves the better, as it gives the plant a chance to take in more nutrients. So, it wouldn't ever be advisable to remove any of the older ones, would it? If they're destined to die, just let them wither and then pull off when they can release with a gentle tug?

[Kelo]

Don't remove leaves simply because of their age. Wait until they go yellow and die off. With more leaves you'll need to water more but only you will know your way of looking after it and your local growing conditions. Others in your area may help you with that. A leaf that is way overexposed to the sun will go red. Your plant looks fine to me.

[cythaenopsis]

^ Thanks, Kelo! None of the other leaves got a brick pattern patch on it and this one happened after I'd let it get a lot of direct sun. It was also a little yellowish at the time. I changed the light exposure for the plant and in about 3 months the yellow disappeared but that patch remained. At least it stopped progressing and changed to a healthy color.

How long do phal leaves usually last, based on your own personal experience?

[Kelo]

It varies with the hybrid or species and how they are grown. They should certainly last for a year, I would hope! lol

[glengary54]

From your photo, it is obvious that you have 2 plants in your pot evidenced by the 2 growth points or crowns. It could very well have been that 2 seedlings where placed in the pot or that the plant has sent up a basal keiki. Your plants look very healthy and as has been said before, I wouldn't remove any of the leaves until they have yellowed and died.

[Gage]

Originally Posted by Kelo

A leaf that is way overexposed to the sun will go red.

It's good that you brought this up, Kelo. Just to clarify, many orchids, including Phals, will turn reddish when their light levels are just a bit too much. This doesn't happen overnight, but over a period of days or weeks. A little red won't hurt the plant, but is just an indicator to give a little bit more shade. However, some orchids seem to refuse to bloom until you give them the absolute maximum sun they can tolerate without burning, in which case they may turn quite red. But the "brick" patch is as you suspected, a result of direct sun exposure which can burn a Phal leaf within minutes. My

[Kelo]

Do you know which phal this is? A 'double' plant like yours is nice to see too!

[cythaenopsis]

Thanks Kelo, glengary54, and Gage.

Yes, when I got the phal last year, it came with two sets of leaves, one a little smaller than the other (but not by much). They bloomed at exactly the same time. It didn't even occur to me that one might be a keiki from the other! They are indeed very close to each other... would have been odd for the grower to put two right next to each other, as each plant would be a separate sale. But who knows... maybe one was small enough and already entwined that they didn't bother. One flower spike is quite thick and the other noticeably thinner.

This brings me to another question... The pot is stretching a little (slightly oblong now), which leads me to believe the phal is about ready to be repotted. Yeah, I took another look at it and I get the feeling the plant is probably a bit crowded in it. Should I keep these phals together or would it be better to separate them into their own pots?

Gage, I'm glad to learn that this patchy spot was indeed a result of sun over-exposure and that I was fast enough to correct it before the leaf started to redden.

Unfortunately Kelo, I don't know the exact variety of this phal... Is there a gallery one can browse to find a specific sub-genus?

[glengary54]

cythaenopsis - It is not unusual for small seedlings to accidentally get potted along with a larger plant. When you work in the production line that is a professional nursery, time is money.

As to identifying your plant, it is a hybrid and therefore almost impossible to ID.

Whether to separate and plant each of your plants separately, for me really depends on how entangled the roots are. If the roots are healthy but badly entangled to the point that you will do great damage to them, I would leave them as one. If however the roots are not in good shape, I would go ahead and separate them.

[Kelo]

I agree with glengary54. Although phals are tolerant of being re-potted even when they are in flower it would be best not to disturb them and maybe wait until next year and yo then can see how well developed the roots are.