Phal. Orchid Wilting (Help please) - Orchid Board

NeilCallan · #1 03-22-2014, 11:57 PM

Hi,

Ok folks, not only am I new to the boards here, I'm also very new to Orchid care. I was recently given a beautfiful Phal. Orchid as a gift. When i recieved it, it had 5 beautiful showy blooms. I read that it should be watered every 2 - 3 weeks as this particular Genus and species like to dry out between watering. Now I suppose I should have given it a little drink when I recieved it, but I did a finger test on the soilless medium and it seemed to be fairly moist so I exercised 'managed neglect'. Now after being away overnight I come back to my beautiful new friend only to find that the highest bloom, and the second highest bloom are quite wilted. Immediately I gave it a reasonable drink of water (about 100mm of leaching through) and am hoping it will rebound.

If any of you have any insight to offer it would be greatly appreciated.

Thank-you.

Carpe Diem · #2 03-23-2014, 12:02 AM

Are the leaves wilted too? As for the flowers wilting, it could be at the end of its bloom cycle.
This is as far as I will go and leave the rest to the experienced growers.

NeilCallan · #3 03-23-2014, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carpe Diem

Are the leaves wilted too? As for the flowers wilting, it could be at the end of its bloom cycle.
This is as far as I will go and leave the rest to the experienced growers.

Thanks for the reply,

The leaves seem to be in good shape. I suppose it could be that the blooms are simply at the end of their life, just thought lack of watering to be the culprit because the 2 furthest from the root system are quite wilted, and the 3 lower blooms seem to be fine.

I will also add that I live in Ontario, Canada and as of late we haven't had a whole lot of natural light and the temperature in the room varies (roughly) between 5 degrees celcius, and 20 degrees celcius.

Carpe Diem · #4 03-23-2014, 12:54 AM

As long as the leaves are not floppy and wrinkled I don't think there is anything to worry about. Have you taken it out of the pot yet to look at the roots? After it's done blooming you should do that and cut off any mushy and or black roots. Is it in a clear plastic pot and you can see the roots? If the roots are silvery looking, it is time to water until the roots turn green. I hold mine under the faucet and give them a good drenching. I set them aside for about 15 min. then I tilt the pot to let excess water run out and put them back in in their place. Do not get water in the crown, that's where the new leaves emerge. When I get water in the crown, I twist up the corner of a paper towel, stick it in there and soak up the water. Leaving water in the crown invites crown rot and results in death in the majority of cases.
I hope this helps some.

dounoharm · #5 03-23-2014, 11:02 AM

very good analysis carpe diem! sounds about right, but I do believe a lack of watering did play some action as far as the blooms wilting...most indoor orchids will require water every week to ten days....two to three weeks is really pushing it! definitely repot this one soon as the blooms are gone, as it has been stressed already....get rid of that moss and put it in bark! that will help in drainage, and keep it from drowning...good luck, and with proper care, maybe next year you can enjoy the blooms again!

NeilCallan · #6 03-23-2014, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dounoharm

very good analysis carpe diem! sounds about right, but I do believe a lack of watering did play some action as far as the blooms wilting...most indoor orchids will require water every week to ten days....two to three weeks is really pushing it! definitely repot this one soon as the blooms are gone, as it has been stressed already....get rid of that moss and put it in bark! that will help in drainage, and keep it from drowning...good luck, and with proper care, maybe next year you can enjoy the blooms again!

Thank you both for the tips, hopefully I can provide the care needed to help my plant thrive again. Any idea on a timeline from when all the blooms die off until it reblooms again? I understand several factors could play a role in this, just wondering if there is any sort of 'general rule' to the blooming cycle.

Carpe Diem · #7 03-23-2014, 11:58 AM

I believe the "general rule" is once a year, but many bloom twice a year. Some bloom for 3, 4 month, even longer, so they need time to recover for the next bloom cycle.

lexusnexus · #8 03-23-2014, 12:33 PM

As a newbie here I am a bit confused about repotting. I purchased my 2 phals from Waldor's at the recent Philly Flower Show and have subsequently called them a few times with questions. As an aside, they have been extremely courteous and helpful to me. They said they sell their phals in a pot that is large enough to last at least another year or two. But all the advice I have read here is to repot after the blooming season has completed. This is my source of confusion. I have not read any references to this advice concerning the size the root ball, just repot. Have I been incorrect in my reading? Is there any general guidance on this? It's not beyond the realm of possibility that I may just have missed this.

LoveOscar · #9 03-23-2014, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexusnexus

As a newbie here I am a bit confused about repotting. I purchased my 2 phals from Waldor's at the recent Philly Flower Show and have subsequently called them a few times with questions. As an aside, they have been extremely courteous and helpful to me. They said they sell their phals in a pot that is large enough to last at least another year or two. But all the advice I have read here is to repot after the blooming season has completed. This is my source of confusion. I have not read any references to this advice concerning the size the root ball, just repot. Have I been incorrect in my reading? Is there any general guidance on this? It's not beyond the realm of possibility that I may just have missed this.

The repotting after blooming is probably in reference to what medium your Phal. is growing in. If it is already in bark, you're fine. If it is in sphag moss, then the recommendation is to change medium.

james mickelso · #10 03-23-2014, 01:50 PM

Depending on your growing medium, you may be able to leave it in the moss. (Did I say that!!!???) The problem with moss is that the way the plant was grown it usually stays too wet and airless in the center, under the root mass, and creates a perfect condition for root rot fungus to thrive. The phals start out as small single rooted plants which are then transferred to small dense plugs of moss. After a season they are then potted in more dense moss in the pot in which you buy them. While in the growers green house they are kept very warm, humid, and not watered much because the grower has them growing in a water retentive medium...moss. Then they come to the store where they are overwatered and then we take them home and water them some more. And they suffocate or drown, or both. If they come to you in bark, they can be left in this medium until they out grow the pot. They can, if done carefully, be repotted in whatever medium you prefer, while in bloom. Or if you prefer they can be left in the pot in which they came. Your choice. If you leave them in the moss in which they came, just be very frugal in how and how much you water. Don't water them until they are nearly dry. Once the flowers drop, repot. But you can, if you prefer, repot them in flower (which is what I prefer). It is very simple. Take tweezers and starting from the bottom center of the root ball, pull out the moss a little at a time. Just don't tear it out. Pull it out carefully and when most if not all of it has been removed, repot into the same pot, with the same moss it came in. Don't pack it in the pot but just place the plant in the pot and "place" small wads of the moss among and around the roots. Don't pack it in. Just place it. Water lightly and then "LEAVE IT ALONE". Place it somewhere that has a medium light and some warmth. It will re-bloom in about 3-6 months.