Unhealthy Phaius?

[Paul Mc]

I have a Phaius tankervillea that bloomed wonderfully last year. It had two stalks per leaf growth, so 4 total. This year, it produced 5 new leaf growths so I anticipated that I would have at least 5 if not 10 flower stalks this year.

Well, the flower stalks seemed to come early this year, and there are only 3 that are getting ready to open their flowers. On those, there are only about 10 flowers each - not the same type of growth I remember from last year where each spike was truly quite stunning with about 30 to 40 flowers each! There is one other small flower stalk that is just starting to grow in addition to the other three.

However, the leaves look very poor this year. They are mostly yellow with a few healthy looking ones. One new growth is somehow "dented" for lack of a better word. It has fallen completely over although it is fine (not mushy, turning colors, etc...).

I'm not sure what to make of these events. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Paul Mc]

Any one have thoughts?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

1. Gotta pic?

2. What are your growing parameters?

[silken]

Well, if it makes you feel any better, OrchidWiz says average flower count is 12.4 per spike, so 10 is not that far off. Did it get a really cool winter rest? I don't grow it but that's what I have read that it needs. It seems to require a large diurnal range.

[Paul Mc]

I can post pic once I get my home computer back. Unfortunately, it's in the shop. Maybe I can try to figure out how to do that on the iPhone.

It's currently in the basement under T8 grow lights. It's probably 2 feet below the light. Last year, I had it on the ground which was a good 6 or 8 feet from the light source, but I thought it should get more light than that based on my observations of it outside.

I had it outside once the night temperatures averaged in the 60's, and brought it in once the night temperatures were in the low 50's to upper 40's. The yellowing actually began before I brought them in though. The leaves themselves were not looking all that great as we had a huge storm with hail that knocked holes in them and did some damage.

Personally, I wondered if it didn't get too much light throughout it's outdoor experience.

The basement is about 50 to 60 percent humidity and stays around 60 degrees - not sure of the range yet - I have a thermometer down there to catch those ranges so I know.

I water it probably every two or three days with an orchid fertilizer for cymbidiums and phaius'. As they are heavy feeders, I tend to give it the recommended dose every two weeks and then just water with plain water after that.

I'm not sure what other information to give. Please let me know and I'd be more than happy to give it. I'll try to get that picture tomorrow - OS meeting tonight.

[silken]

Again, I don't grow this so hopefully others can help. I'm just looking at OrchidWiz which provides Charles Baker's cultural notes for species. 3000 to 5000 fc is what it says for light but also mentions dappled conditions. I have attached the part on winter rest for you to read. I wonder if you are watering too much in winter as for summer it says ample water but a cool dry rest to induce flowers in the winter. Hope that helps.

[johnblagg]

Hmmm I got almost the same thing going on here
....

[Paul Mc]

I'm sorry I haven't posted yet. I have a pic but can't seem to upload it.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I think it's the cold. Low 50's F to high 40's F is too low for Phaius tankervilliae, especially when there's hail involved.

I'd go only as low as the low 60's F to mid 50's F, no lower.

It may be able to recover.

[Paul Mc]

Well, it's looking much better now. Thanks King! I'll have to adjust my records to reflect the temps you described.