Help... New Leaf Wilting!

[Tulip Poplar]

Hi all!
I just repotted one of my phals that's been doing great for a couple of years now. About 3 days after the repotting, the new leaf that is about half grown-in started to wilt on its side (see photo). Is the plant okay? Should I do anything?? By the way, I'm worried I repotted it in too small a pot as it is no larger than the previous one... could that be the problem? Also, I switched from a bark mix to all sphag. Thanks for your help

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Tulip Poplar

Also, I switched from a bark mix to all sphag. Thanks for your help

Think you just hit the "nail on the head". I only use fast drying mixes as it's VERY easy to overwater a Phal. It's a fine balance you are after between not having the roots dry out and having them too wet. In my case (take this as you may) sphagum moss is just too wet for Phals (and I have mine in a very dry environment.) For instance, I just transferred one of mine from a plastic pot with coarse bark mix to a waterlily basket with the same coarse bark to allow the roots to dry more between waterings. I doubt the repotting was the cause of this - I have repotted more than twice a year due to changing my mind on how I want to grow a plant, and never experienced this wilting. Now Paphs, that's a different thing entirely.

[Dorothy]

I wouldn't worry about pot size.
How was the root system when you replanted it? Did you remove a lot of dead ones?
Why did you decide to repot in total sphag moss?
I am not a fan of putting phals in total sphag in fact I will repot in a mixed medium if they are in sphag to begin with.
Your phal will revive .. it seems very healthy ..
I would reconsider the sphag.
Just my opinion

[Pinkcat]

Just something I observed with mine:
Did you happen to change the orientation of the light? I have one phal with really big leaves that does that exact thing. I worried that the new leaf was dying, but it just wanted to be turned the other way. If I move it too far away from the light source it will flip its leaf over like this to reach the light. It takes 2-3 days for it to straighten up after I move it back into better light.
Again, I am not an expert, but mine did the same thing yours seems to be doing. Good luck!

[Gin]

It is caused from fast tender new growth , not the mix or pot size . Here is how I fix it but have to be careful reposition a little at a time .... http://www.orchidboard.com/community...o=7120&cat=518

[Lagoon]

I Agree. I've got 1 orchid that does this. It doesn't put out new leaves often but when it does ... the new growth shoots out super fast. The new growth is always floppy and large. Give it time to harden off.

[mother_earth]

I just wanted to add that I have all my phals in spag but I mix in some of the aliflor balls. I also use glazed orchid pots with lots of holes in the sides. I water about once a week. Brenda

[Dorothy]

New term - Phlopaenopsis - a phal with floppy leaves

[John]

Hi Tulip...I am far from an expert on this but I like you have potted up several Phals in moss. Under my conditions and watering freqency, I found that the bark mix would dry out too fast. If you use moss, be careful not to pack it into the pot too tight. If you push it in like bark, it will block air from the roots and take too long to dry. Also adjust your watering so that the moss stays damp, not soaked. You can use your finger to test for dampness. You seem very observant about the condition of your plant which helps immensely. Good luck.

John

[Vanessa]

Some of mine get the 'floppy leaf' on new growth...I fix it like Gin and it hardens off just fine.