Phal with shrively leaves

[OrangeAugust]

I think I keep underwatering some of my phals because their leaves start to shrivel after about 4 days. So those I water more often. One of them I am sure is totally dry is a mini phal that I will have to repot because the see-through plastic container it's in (inside a small clay pot) just fall right off because the roots and the moss is so tightly packed and it gets totally dry. So I usually dip that one in a cup of water every three or 4 days. Another one is in bark. I repotted it about 3 years ago and the water drains through really fast, and that one tends to need watering more often.
But one of my other phals that's in bloom, I know it needs repotting because the medium looks like really broken-down bark. But that one gets the shrively leaves like the other ones do, but I'm afraid of overwatering it. I waited about 3 days this week before watering it because the leaves started getting wrinkly, but I'm still afraid of overwatering since the medium is so much more dense than my other ones that are planted in bark.
Any suggestions? Does it need to be watered more often or do you think something else is wrong with it?

[RandomGemini]

Pics please!

I do not water these plants more than once every 7 to 10 days. My phals do better, if I let them get completely dry. My Mini phals are the same. I think the mistake people make with these, is that they assume that because they are so small, they are more delicate than full sized phals and this is not true. They need the same amount of benign neglect as a full sized phal. They should also get the same amount of water and the same amount of fertilizer.

Overwatering does not usually cause wrinkled leaves, to my knowledge, so please take some pics and post them so we can see what's going on with your plants. That will allow us to be able to advise you in the best way possible.

Also, relax. It's okay to be new. We all were new once, I'm still pretty new myself.

[OrangeAugust]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Overwatering does not usually cause wrinkled leaves, to my knowledge, so please take some pics and post them so we can see what's going on with your plants. That will allow us to be able to advise you in the best way possible.

I will post pics later. My question is whether or not I'm under-watering (causing the wrinkly leaves) even though it seem like I have to water more often (in a more dense medium) for the leaves to perk up again.
I have the hang of watering all the other ones. I just had to adjust for two of my mini's which I have to water more often because they're in full sun for a longer period this time of year. The mini one I mentioned gets completely dry before I water it which is every few days now. I can tell that it's totally dry because I can take it out of the pot, moss and all, and the moss is totally dry- no dampness at all.

I've been keeping phals for 3 years now and I haven't killed any yet but I still feel like a beginner sometimes. lol.
I am definitely a beginner with orchids that are not phals or dendrobiums, though.

[RandomGemini]

It's possible, but with as often as you say you water, that doesn't actually seem likely to me. What are these phals potted in?

[lexusnexus]

Pics may help with diagnosis and recommendations.

[WhiteRabbit]

Actually - over watering will cause the plant to become dehydrated, as roots rot, and then the plant doesn't get any water.

That said, you need to see the roots to judge if they are rotted or dry.

Use a skewer, freshly sharpened pencil, or your finger to check moistness. Phals should become nearly dry before watering again.

Sphagnum, if completely dried out may require a good drenching or soak to re-moisten. Bark, especially if fresh and/or very chunky, may also need some soaking, especially if it's become very dry.

If potted in clear pots - water when the roots become silvery / white-ish / cream color.

[OrangeAugust]

Hi everyone.
I took the advice of the person who said that the leaves could be the indication of overwatering and therefore root rot. I repotted the orchid on Saturday. The roots were in better shape than I expected (I only cut off two or three bad ones) but I definitely think it was time to repot. The bark it was planted in was so old it was almost like soil. So I planted it in bark mix in an orchid pot. So far the flowers are ok and I don't think they will fall off from the stress of repotting. So I am going to wait a week from the day I repotted to water again.
Thanks for the advice!
Here's a pic of it in its new pot.

[WhiteRabbit]

Good job!

[mtorchid]

Yes, hope the blooms hang on for you. Best to let the orchid tell you when to rewater it as demand changes in various temps and growth cycles. I like the "benign neglect" approach someone posted earlier, too. Orchids are much hardier plants than most people would guess. Also, orchids are slow to react, so leaves would be the last place over/under watering symptoms would show up. It's always about the roots!

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

Originally Posted by OrangeAugust

Hi everyone.
I took the advice of the person who said that the leaves could be the indication of overwatering and therefore root rot. I repotted the orchid on Saturday. The roots were in better shape than I expected (I only cut off two or three bad ones) but I definitely think it was time to repot. The bark it was planted in was so old it was almost like soil. So I planted it in bark mix in an orchid pot. So far the flowers are ok and I don't think they will fall off from the stress of repotting. So I am going to wait a week from the day I repotted to water again.
Thanks for the advice!
Here's a pic of it in its new pot.

I think it's always best to lose the flowers than to loe the plant! That said, hopefully the new air that the roots are gonna get now will make your Phal super happy and it will thrive!! Good luck!!