Phal needs help

[Brownthumb10]

I got this phal in April. It was beautiful, in bloom, large leaves...then I tried to take care of it. I read just enough to be dangerous. I repotted it and the blooms fell off and the leaves shriveled up and fell off. The leaves it now has are all new growth, so that is good...I guess. But overall, it looks pretty sad. Thoughts?

[Lilac]

It has some very healthy looking green roots though. The leaves look nice also. I'm a newbie myself,but maybe it just needs time Good job so far!

I'm sure some with a more expert eye will come along and give you better advice

[bellini girl]

What size do you have it potted in ? Looks like it could be in one size under. Just my 2 cents

[Brownthumb10]

Originally Posted by bellini girl

What size do you have it potted in ? Looks like it could be in one size under. Just my 2 cents

I don't recall the pot size. When it had its original leaves it didn't look so small in the pot.

[OhioBob]

The pot looks large to me too, but if the plant was larger than it could be appropriate. The picture looks like it is a fairly healthy plant that has lost its bottom leaves. This is generally normal. ON the other hand, I was noticing you have the pot on a plate and it is still wet. I suspect that the pot may be holding too much water. Remove the pot from the plate and let it drain more. Phals like a fair amount of air around the roots and to not be soggy.

Good luck

[Brownthumb10]

Originally Posted by OhioBob

The pot looks large to me too, but if the plant was larger than it could be appropriate. The picture looks like it is a fairly healthy plant that has lost its bottom leaves. This is generally normal. ON the other hand, I was noticing you have the pot on a plate and it is still wet. I suspect that the pot may be holding too much water. Remove the pot from the plate and let it drain more. Phals like a fair amount of air around the roots and to not be soggy.

Good luck

Thanks, I removed the drip tray. Do you think I should repot it in a smaller pot? I am very nervous to do so, as it started going down hill shortly after I repotted it last time, but if you think it will help. As I said, none of the original leaves remain (they were actually draping over the side of the pot. The leaves you see are all new and I see another starting.

[james mickelso]

I would leave it alone. It is growing well and should be fine for quite awhile in the large bark in which it is planted. The roots don't go down into the pot very far and probably should dry out well. We pot into smallish pots so that the media around the roots dries out fairly quickly so as to forestall any fungus or bacterial bad guys from attacking the roots and rotting them,. If the orchid is potted in a large media there is usually sufficient air flow around the roots to dry them out appropriately. I would leave this alone for the next two seasons and get some kelpmax from ray or other kelp product to help get more root mass.