Leaves Turning Yellow

[butterfly_muse]

Good morning all! The leaves on my baby phal are turning yellow and I can't figure out why. It is in a south facing window with the blinds down, and I have been soaking it in some KLN mixture to encourage root growth (this is the one that only had 2 roots left after I cut all the dead ones) when the medium gets dry. I repotted it into a very small, clear container that I cut holes in for ventilation and drainage with a bark/charcoal/peat mix. I also fertilize weakly weekly.

It was colder earlier in the week but has subsequently warmed up, and when it got cold, I opened my heating vent a little more to negate the draft by the window and that whole area was nice and cozy all week long. Also, my other orchids are totally happy and doing really well, it's only this one that is having an issue..=\

I have attached pictures, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

P.S. - I was soaking it in some KLN last night and took the opportunity to take pictures, it doesn't permanently live in a bowl full of water :P

[Ray]

Since the plant does not have a root system sufficient to take up water and nutrition, the plant is consuming the resources store in that leaf. It is not reversible, but nothing to be concerned about if it stops with that leaf.

However, you do need to treat the plant right to encourage it to grow a sufficient root system.

K-L-N is a start, but you should soak the entire plant,. not the potting medium only, as, having a limited root system, how's it going to absorb the hormones? Also, there is no need for more than one treatment like that (I'd use a teaspoon per gallon), and the effects of hormones are like flipping on a light switch - once it's on, it's on; pressing the switch again does nothing.

Probably the best thing you can do is warm that plant up, especially if you can do bottom heat. I do mean warm, too = 90°F is fine, if the plant is kept shaded.

[butterfly_muse]

Originally Posted by Ray

Since the plant does not have a root system sufficient to take up water and nutrition, the plant is consuming the resources store in that leaf. It is not reversible, but nothing to be concerned about if it stops with that leaf.

However, you do need to treat the plant right to encourage it to grow a sufficient root system.

K-L-N is a start, but you should soak the entire plant,. not the potting medium only, as, having a limited root system, how's it going to absorb the hormones? Also, there is no need for more than one treatment like that (I'd use a teaspoon per gallon), and the effects of hormones are like flipping on a light switch - once it's on, it's on; pressing the switch again does nothing.

Probably the best thing you can do is warm that plant up, especially if you can do bottom heat. I do mean warm, too = 90°F is fine, if the plant is kept shaded.

Soak it like leaves and all? But can't that encourage crown rot? I soak the whole plant medium and all (not the leaves, though) in a bowl for like 30 minutes. And then let it drain and put it back. How would I keep it that warm?

[tsun1108]

I am interested to know too... will foliar feed works for KLN or seaweed extract??

[NYCorchidman]

This is actually very common with phals.
Yellowing occurs in any plants in repond to overwatering.
With phals, that is also true of course, but when phals experience cold weather, not enough water for an extended period of time (leaves will begin to show wrinkles and soft to the touch, then trun yellow and drop).

With most roots gone on your phal, I believe the reason is the same as the effect of underwatering.
It has way too many leaves for a few little roots. All those leaves lose much more water than the roots can take up. hence, the plant terminates a few.
Nothing to worry about.

As more roots grow in the near future, the plant will grow new leaves again. I normally trim off a few leaves only leaving top two leaves to help balance the water gain/loss.
The recovery of the plant will take quite some time though, so you must REALLY love this plant.

[butterfly_muse]

Alright, thank you! I am glad! I was worried I was hurting it =(

[Ray]

Treatment with a hormone solution is not the same as foliar feeding. The hormones are not ionic in nature, so can be absorbed through the plasmodesmata reasonably well.

Muse, the only reason you might get crown rot after such a soaking is if you left a pool of water standing in the crown. Soak early in the day, tip the plant to drain the crown, and let it air dry. No issues.

[tsun1108]

So Ray, does that mean you will dunk the whole plant and submerged in water with KLN / seaweed extract?! And for how long?

[Ray]

If I am rescuing a sorry plant, I'll immerse the entire plant for at least 30 minutes, often up to an hour.


Ray Barkalow
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[butterfly_muse]

How does the foliar feeding of KLN make a difference from just soaking the base of the plant and the current roots? I don't have any seaweed extract at the moment.