Phalaenopsis Wilting Lower Leaves - Orchid Board

paphlovian · #1 08-29-2007, 09:14 PM

Hello!

Is it normal for the mid-lower leaves of a phalenopsis to wilt/droop? I have two phalaenopsis orchids and have owned them for several months. The leaves were very waxy and full-looking for a while, then they became droopy and the surface of the leaves appears wrinkled (though I haven't noticed any marks). The very small bottom leaves have yellowed and fallen off. What might I be doing wrong, for I don't believe the leaves should look like this? I believe they are getting enough water (I water about once per week and they're on a very warm and humid Florida patio that currently is geting zero direct sunlight).

Thanks a bunch for your comments/suggestions!

flhiker · #2 08-29-2007, 09:48 PM

Hi Angela, I live in s. Florida and have a few Phals. outside (all my Chids are outside) and I have the same thing going on. If it is like mine it will turn yellow and drop. I water pretty much every other day and sometimes every day, if the medium looks dry I water. The only orchid I had that died was a Phal. I think as long has you have new growth and other healthy looking leaves and roots I wouldn't worry. Hope this helps

paphlovian · #3 08-29-2007, 10:11 PM

Thanks...Sounds promising! I've waited some weeks now before asking and they don't seem to look much worse. The top leaves are looking healthy still. Good thing! Could the climate of Florida contribute to this, I wonder?

flhiker · #4 08-29-2007, 10:29 PM

Perhaps! But I bought most of my Phals local (home depot) They are supplied by a local grower. I think that any change may affect them. Different light, water, temp. etc. But that doesn't mean they wont adapt. Good Luck and Let me know how things work out.

justatypn · #5 08-29-2007, 10:40 PM

Ang ... could this have been noticed after blooming? I have had this happen after bloomin' time...merely tired and resting. Some have and some have not yellowed and died...some have

Or:
Recently we had no a/c for 4 days, a mere window unit in the meantime, noticed the phals feeling a bit squemish looking and had the same air circulation goin' on, so I contributed it to the warmth. There was a 12 degree difference from previous a/c running to dying, the day the a/c unit was replace and running the orchids looked happy.

I would not think that watering once a week is enough if your growing outdoors in Fl conditions. I grow indoors and water every 3rd day and mist daily sometimes misting twice a day. I would contribute to it being so warm and not enough water and or misting. Just my thoughts...

paphlovian · #6 08-29-2007, 10:50 PM

One of them is finished blooming, though the other is not. But, perhaps the first one is wilty due to this. The one that's still in bloom is starting to drop its flowers, though it's been wilty for weeks. Maybe it's still tired.

Or, maybe it IS the summer heat of Florida. I know it makes me feel wilted.

When I started purchasing orchids, I'd water them more often, but I started having fungus problems (growing at the base of the plant in the medium), so I decided to cut back to try to avoid this, after reading how many problems are caused by overwatering. I really haven't figured out the best watering schedule. Some of my mediums seem to stay moist longer (i.e., I have a dendrobium I can't wait to quit blooming so I can repot if out of the moss that stays moist for WEEKS at a time!). I'm afraid of causing rot/fungus or other problems by watering too much. But, maybe I need to water more often. Though, I'd like to avoid the fungus issues I had before. After repotting those orchids, I have not seen anymore fungus/moldy growth.

dave b · #7 08-29-2007, 11:02 PM

Every time ive seen a Phal with droopy wrinkled leaves, its typically underwatered. If they are experiencing hot weather on top of this, with wind, even worse. Id up the water on the wrinkled ones. This is assuming they still have healthy roots. If the roots are dead or rotted out, then you have a different problem. No roots for water uptake. They may still come back, but it will take longer.

flhiker · #8 08-29-2007, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paphlovian

One of them is finished blooming, though the other is not. But, perhaps the first one is wilty due to this. The one that's still in bloom is starting to drop its flowers, though it's been wilty for weeks. Maybe it's still tired.

Or, maybe it IS the summer heat of Florida. I know it makes me feel wilted.

When I started purchasing orchids, I'd water them more often, but I started having fungus problems (growing at the base of the plant in the medium), so I decided to cut back to try to avoid this, after reading how many problems are caused by overwatering. I really haven't figured out the best watering schedule. Some of my mediums seem to stay moist longer (i.e., I have a dendrobium I can't wait to quit blooming so I can repot if out of the moss that stays moist for WEEKS at a time!). I'm afraid of causing rot/fungus or other problems by watering too much. But, maybe I need to water more often. Though, I'd like to avoid the fungus issues I had before. After repotting those orchids, I have not seen anymore fungus/moldy growth.

By letting the medium dry between watering there should be no fungus, It doesn't take more then a day or so before mine becomes dry.I wouldn't wait to repot it there is fungus, If you had fungus it still may be there under the medium. You may lose a few flowers but you will save the plant.

paphlovian · #9 08-29-2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flhiker

By letting the medium dry between watering there should be no fungus, It doesn't take more then a day or so before mine becomes dry.I wouldn't wait to repot it there is fungus, If you had fungus it still may be there under the medium. You may lose a few flowers but you will save the plant.

On some of the orchids I repotted that were molding on the top of the medium, some of the roots had black spots and lots of dead roots. I tried to clean out the roots as much as possible. After seeing what horrible things happened to the roots of the orchids with the fungus on top, it scared me from watering too often. This might explain why the stalks of one of my dendrobiums are shrivelled. Though, the new stalk looks great! I'm learning! (And this forum is great for support in this learning adventure!) I should add repotting the dendrobium in the moss on the list of "things to do" this week. I hope the roots are okay.

justatypn · #10 08-29-2007, 11:22 PM

When I am unsure of a watering regimen that is correct for it's conditions I use a wooden skewer. I place the skewer into the medium when I want to water I pull it out can check the dampness and if I am unsure, I water the following day. I make my own mixture of medium, which works well for me. I use premium orchid bark, perilite or sphagnum moss. I use equal parts and seems to work well for my growing conditions.

Fungus is always a fear with any orchid hobbist, we have all been there. I have a Dtps Newberry parfit piccote x Fajens Fireworks that has been blooming continuous since Mothers Day and it's got 4 leaves, 3 of the four are limp like yours....it's tired and will be letting it get plenty of rest and nutrition after it blooms.

I dont' think there is a need for worry, it will recover and lately with all the rain we have been having, I don't think humidity is an issue.