Phalaenopsis Wilting Lower Leaves

[paphlovian]

Originally Posted by gutchin

If my Phals are flowering, but the leaves aren't looking too good, what would happen to the flowers if I re-potted the plant with fresh medium? Also, do you recommend plastic or clay pots, and do Phals like to be potbound?

You might want to repost your questions on a new thread (because you might get a response from more people regarding your questions). I am not very experienced, myself, but can try to help a little. I am the original poster of this thread and have not really learned anything spectacular yet from when I made the posting. Well, all my phals are still alive and two have reflowered from the same spike... but, I still do have wilting lower leaves on that one. The newer leaf is not as wide as the others (anyone know why this might be?)... I am guessing I may be underwatering this one since it dries out quickly. But, there is some sort of growth on all three of my phals! At this point, I am happy to keep my orchids alive and semi-healthy looking. Next step: Getting them to bloom (this is where I am!)

Anyway, YOUR QUESTIONS:
I'm thinking that if you repot while in bloom, it might drop the blooms. That is what has happened to me when I've done that. I guess it depends how bad your leaves look b/c it could just be putting all its energy into the flowers right now???
What I have read regarding plastic vs. clay pots sounds like it might have a lot to do with individual watering habits. I sometimes over water (have had fungal problems, etc. on my overly shady patio in the summer), so feel more comfortable with the classic orange clay pots. I also like how they are less apt to tip; when my dog drops his tennis ball on the pot, it might actually remain upright! Either pot is probably fine (do more research, first)-- plastic takes longer to dry out and is lighter weight. What works for YOU.
The question about whether or not phals like to be potbound... I really have no idea, but am kind of curious about that myself!
Good luck finding out more.. I think there are many others on this board that will have much more information to share with you. If you don't get it here, be sure to repost your questions with a new thread.

Good luck!

[flhiker]

Hi Gutchin, I have re-potted and mounted some Phals. in flower recently and all are doing fine, except 1 had a couple of the newest buds die. So if your medium is harming your plant I would re-pot no matter what. Also by doing so you might fine the reason your leave are not looking so good (mold, broken down medium, ect...) As for them liking to be root bound I don't think they do or should I say that I have not read they do in any of my books. Hope this helps and good luck.

[rweiss007]

I have bought several orchids from Lowes and some seem to be wilting - I notice that when they are blooming the leaves are wilting. How long does this last?

Also I notice that some buy from Home Depot - My Lowes here sells them for $2 and $3 after they are done blooming!! Great way to get started again for me. I just hope they keep doing it!

[ShannonH1984]

Hi Everyone,

I am having a somewhat similar problem with my phal's. I haven't had any leaves turn yellow yet, but my leaves have become soft on all my phal's. I'm not a 100% sure but I believe it's because of the sudden rise in tempature. The outdoor temps are in the 100's and the indoor temps are in the 90's. I've increased watering and mine seem to be doing better.

[gutchin]

I spoke to a local orchid grower. She said they use plastic pots because if the plant is in a clay pot, the roots attach themselves to the pot and in order to repot you have to break the pot. Sounds right to me.

I need some advice about what to do with my plants in the summer when I am away. I am in south Florida. Can I just rely on humidity, shade and sporatic rain to be enough moisture? Or should I hook up a drip system from my automatic sprinkler?

[jkofferdahl]

I think dave b is right on track with this. It's quite normal for a Phal to lose a bottom leaf, or even two, as it begins a new growing spurt or right after blooming. However, when it's more than one or two, and the leaves start by wrinkling first, you're typically looking at a case of underwatering. This presumes, as Dave said, that the roots themselves are healthy.

If the roots are healthy, try checking the plants more closely for drying, and water as soon as the media is dry. Also, if the roots are healthy you may want to go ahead and immerse the pots in water for about 20-30 minutes to really thoroughly drench the media.

[Hedge]

Originally Posted by gutchin

If my Phals are flowering, but the leaves aren't looking too good, what would happen to the flowers if I re-potted the plant with fresh medium? Also, do you recommend plastic or clay pots, and do Phals like to be potbound?

I have repotted when in flower and it didn't seem to cause any problem to the plants in fact one of them promptly put up another spike! but I only have about ten phals so perhaps my experience is not the usual one.

I prefer transparent plastic pots so that I can see the roots and yes they quite like to be potbound. check out the repotting thread with a link to a video that was posted on the beginner forum back in April, you can be quite brutal

Several of my phals have lost a lower leaf particularly after flowering finished - I think they are tired and need a rest, and the hot days we get through glass in spring in northern latitudes combined with the cool nights that go with high pressure don't help.

Regards
Heather