Remove limp leaves now?

[RosieC]

No dry spell is fine for Phals if they also get good air flow. That's just what the S/H technique does.

I've not used these gel beads for fear of any chemicals leaching out of them. I know others have trid them but don't know how well they worked long term.

Oh and on the issue of the leaf I agree with the other comments to leave it on till it naturally falls.

[tarev]

Agree with everyone about the leaves, best to keep it, till it does its natural die down.

At times over and underwatering shows the same on the plant, it goes limp. Seeing that it is on gel beads, you may be overwatering it already. It is still holding too much moisture. If you really have to use them, I would remove some of it and mix in leca rocks, for more air circulation. Leca is used in s/h to wick water, and it is porous so the roots are able to breathe below.

I like gel beads, have been using them with other houseplants, but with orchids, I always think not just pure gel beads, it will be too much moisture for them.

[Kari_Stein]

This orchid seems very happy with the gel beads since it is growing both new roots and new leaves. It isn't set far down into them so the air circulation is good. The wilted leaves are from before I rescued it.

At this point I will probably have to move it to a more durable material once the roots are longer as it is starting to break down. Add the beads break I'm removing them and I'll replace them all as soon as I pick up some more. As a temporary way of keeping a once nearly rootless orchid hydrated, though, they've been wonderful. I just pick up the plant and soak it every two to three days with alternating dilute fertilizer and Superthrive.