Phal has limp leaves + this fir bark SUCKS!

[floranewb206]

Since repotting about a month ago the leaves have gotten soft and are just hanging down the side of the pot.

It still has two flowers on it.

Roots look fine but always silver because the new bark does not retain water at all! I can water today, and by tomorrow the bark will be completely dry and the roots silver, what do I do? Watered it twice this week, don't want to over water, but I mean it isn't getting a constant water supply from this bark.

[kindrag23]

What brand is it. I use gro better/ more for phal's. But that may be to heavy to use in your area.

It may be in a slight stage of shock and is trying to re steady itself. Can you post some pictures? So we can see pot size type of bark you use etc..

[floranewb206]

"Uni Gro" is the brand.

[WhiteRabbit]

Did you soak the bark before using it? Even pre-soaked, fresh bark will dry very quickly. With time it will remain moist longer and longer.

You can soak the pot to help it along. And using a skewer can help judge moisture so you don't over-water.

[kindrag23]

def use the skewer method as @WhiteRabbit suggested. I almost soaked my schomburgkia that is in moss today. It was dry on the outer rings but still wet on the inside. So saved my self there.

[orchidsarefun]

a couple of points
1) not all phals are the same regarding leaf "stiffiness". Generally speaking the large multifloras DO have "floppy" leaves. Does yours have larger flowers ?
2) your bark looks fine. However it could be that there is insufficient root growth to support the leaves. I always wrap a little long strand sphagnum moss loosely around the roots, keeping them moister and promoting root growth.
3) you should water until the roots turn green. With 2) above and more watering until the plant is well established root-wise, you should be fine.
You are right to water only when the roots are silver, in your case it may be more often than you would initially like.

[floranewb206]

Thank you. No I didn't soak it first :/ I have a huge bag of it, should I repot with soaked new bark?

The flowers are small. The leaves weren't this soft when I first got it. It's only recently.

[Ray]

Try this:

►Using tepid-temperature water (~70°-75°F), water the living crap out of it. I put it in the sink and using the spray head, spray it for about 5 minutes.

►Walk away for 15-30 minutes.

►Repeat.

Watering can open up the structure of the bark chips, but they can reclose if allowed to dry. Waiting and watering a second time often gives the bark enough "openness" to stay that way, allowing it to maintain some absorption capacity. Do that once and you'll probably be OK.

In the future, pour boiling water over that bark (to achieve the same thing), and allow it to cool before use.

Also, consider that in your environment, straight bark might not have enough water-holding capacity for phals. Adding some sphagnum to the mix (25%?) might help, as would a top-dressing of the stuff.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I personally pot when the bark is dry . . .

However, I think a more important question is HOW do you water?

I recommend taking the plant to the sink, running lots of water through the bark and out the drainage holes. If the bark continues to stay dry, place the pot in a slightly larger container, fill with water to the rim of your pot, soak for 15 to 30 minutes or so, then drain.

[RosieC]

In some ways needing to water every day (and watering every day) means your orchid can get plenty of water without fear of rotting. If it dries that quickly you can water far more often and the plants like that (almost like mounting).

But in practice most people don't want to need to water every day. I do with a couple of mine, but couldn't manage it with every one and if you want to be able to water just once or twice a week then you need something that holds the moisture longer.

I like the sound of Rays's suggestion. I've also in the past left one standing in water for an hour or even two hours to help the bark to soak after repotting instead of before. As long as a Phal is not left standing in water long term, an hour or two occasionally does not hurt them at all.