Another Wrinkled Phal Leaves Post, but w/Pics

[Higgins23]

Hi there. I realize there is a very similar thread posted just yesterday, but I wanted to start a new on since I have pictures to include and my situation seems a bit different than yesterday's post.
One of my larger phals has drooping, wrinkled leaves and I'm concerned and stumped. It was in full bloom when I got it, so I let the flowers drop, then cut off the spike properly. I then repotted it soon after to get a good look at the root system and get it in a better medium. It grew a new leaf soon after that and dropped a bottom leaf (which I find typical for freshly repotted phals). Now however, a few months later the leaves aren't looking good. Is it getting too MUCH air now and drying out too quickly since the pot has so many slits/holes in it? I water once/week heavily and give it food every other week or so. Thoughts? See pics (had to post some in a separate post).

[Higgins23]

additional pic...

[Higgins23]

close-up of leaf

[james mickelso]

Your phal is desiccating. The roots are probably drying out too fast. Repotting takes a small toll on roots which then puts stress on the leaves. Ok....#1. Wrong pot for a newly repotted, just finished flowering, just repotted phal. #2. The media is too large for a just finished flowering, just repotted phal. So.....don't worry. I would just water it every 2 or 3 days. The leaves most likely won't re-plump. But they are doing their job. Phals are slow growing, quick dieing plants. They need constant moisture at their root environment. That is not to say wet all the time. But they do need, especially right after repotting, constant moisture (dampness) at their roots. A medium light level, just below cattleya light. You can mist the undersides of the leaves a couple times a day with RO or distilled water which would help them cope with the stress of repotting. Get some kelp additive to help produce more roots. Put some long fibered sphagnum moss on top to help moderate moisture loss after watering. I used to put the newly potted phals in the shower for 10 minutes. Worked great (but not in California). Once you start watering more, it'll just take time. The older leaves will not re-plump but the new leaves will be just fine. Here are a couple pics which show what yours will look like in the future and a couple where with careful repotting, proper media and culture, your future phals can look like.

[silken]

Your Phal likely came from a pot with many less holes and out of moss which retains a lot of moisture. So the roots are struggling to adapt to large dry bark and a pot that is so open. I would soak this pot for 20 mins when watering and then let it drain out very well. That way the roots can re-hydrate and the bark may absorb a bit more moisture. Did you soak the bark overnight before re-potting? New bark retains a lot less moisture than seasoned bark. As mentioned, just water more and make sure the media isn't too dry for too long. I prefer to use a mix of moss and bark when re-potting Phals. But everyone's conditions are different. I do let my phals get just dry before watering because if they are always wet they can get root rot. But the slotted pot and bark should allow lots of air flow.

[tarev]

With my Phals, whenever I repot them, I pre-soak the media, so the roots have something moist when moved to it. Then for the next few weeks, whenever I have to water them, I dunk the container up to the root zone only, for about 10 minutes, then after that I let the water drain out and at the same time run the ceiling fan for air circulation.

Actually I like your container. Roots will like that air flow. Just have to get the bark sort of conditioned to hold the moisture. Eventually it will, and the roots will enjoy it.

Personally, I am not a fan of using moss with my Phals, and so far they survive well without it.

[Higgins23]

Thanks everyone. Think I'll start with watering more frequently & add in kelp extract.