Beginner in Malaysia

[louisetee]

Hi,

I just started getting interested in orchids and I received 3 Phalaenopsis. The last week has been terrible, they were put under direct sunlight so they got sunburnt and then there was a thunderstorm so one of them has a crown rot but roots still ok.

I have repotted all 3 in bark and sphagnum moss, plastic pots and they are now on the floor in the patio which is shaded. They get nice light but not direct sunlight.

My question is, cause where I live is pretty hot in Malaysian so can I water them everyday? The roots look whitish today and I just watered them yesterday.

[louisetee]

Here is the other photo of the other orchid. This picture was taken just after I watered it.

[Cntry]

Originally Posted by louisetee

Hi,

I just started getting interested in orchids and I received 3 Phalaenopsis. The last week has been terrible, they were put under direct sunlight so they got sunburnt and then there was a thunderstorm so one of them has a crown rot but roots still ok.

I have repotted all 3 in bark and sphagnum moss, plastic pots and they are now on the floor in the patio which is shaded. They get nice light but not direct sunlight.

My question is, cause where I live is pretty hot in Malaysian so can I water them everyday? The roots look whitish today and I just watered them yesterday.

You are doing right by moving them to the shaded area. They do not get direct sun. Get a skewer that you would use for cooking meats and vegetables that is wooden and place it in each pot. When you lift the skewer up and it is damp to the touch give it another day or so. You want your Phals to be almost dried before you water again. You can also tell by the weight of the pot will be very light when you pick it up. Try 5 to 7 days between watering each time.
Get some fertilizer for orchids and feed them 1/4 of what is called for, with each watering 2 to 3 times a month. Last week you want to only use water and flush out the pot. This cleans out any buildup that is on the pot from the salts that form.

Where I live we get from upper 90f to almost 100f in the summer so they can take hot weather. Just make sure they don't get sunburned like you are doing.

Your one Phal that is yellowed all the way down the orchid don't look good to me at all. Were you given these orchids or did you purchase them? As may lose that orchid at some point.

[Catriona]

Selamat datang ke Orchid Board!
The roots on top of the pot - arial roots - will always be silver, unless you have just watered them, as in pic. 3, and are not a good indication as to whether your orchid needs watering. Cntry's suggestion to check with a skewer is a reliable method. You may find, given the high humidity in Malaysia, that they can go for longer than 7 days. Humidity is more of an issue than heat; growers in a very dry heat would, I think, have to water more often than 5-7 days.
I am quite new to growing orchids myself, and those with more experience will be advising you, but personally I would remove the flower stalks on each orchid. Whether they have buds or blooms, they are diverting energy from the leaves & roots, & your orchids look like they need all the energy they can get. The orchid with crown rot is probably a goner - I had one in exactly the same state and eventually I had to throw it away. Keep trying, though - you may yet get a keiki (baby plant).
Malam yang baik dan semoga berjaya.
[I said good evening & good luck]
Cut the stems with sterile knife/scissors & dab powdered cinnamon on to cut edges, to stop infection.

[louisetee]

Originally Posted by Cntry

You are doing right by moving them to the shaded area. They do not get direct sun. Get a skewer that you would use for cooking meats and vegetables that is wooden and place it in each pot. When you lift the skewer up and it is damp to the touch give it another day or so. You want your Phals to be almost dried before you water again. You can also tell by the weight of the pot will be very light when you pick it up. Try 5 to 7 days between watering each time.
Get some fertilizer for orchids and feed them 1/4 of what is called for, with each watering 2 to 3 times a month. Last week you want to only use water and flush out the pot. This cleans out any buildup that is on the pot from the salts that form.

Where I live we get from upper 90f to almost 100f in the summer so they can take hot weather. Just make sure they don't get sunburned like you are doing.

Your one Phal that is yellowed all the way down the orchid don't look good to me at all. Were you given these orchids or did you purchase them? As may lose that orchid at some point.

Yes, I received them as gifts. I never noticed before if the crown was rotting or was it because of my ignorant of letting my mil placed them out in the heat and thunderstorm.
I'm not too optimistic of it surviving but the roots still look ok. I am not sure.
I will take more pictures tomorrow and see how it is.
Thank you for your reply.

---------- Post added at 04:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Catriona

Selamat datang ke Orchid Board!
The roots on top of the pot - arial roots - will always be silver, unless you have just watered them, as in pic. 3, and are not a good indication as to whether your orchid needs watering. Cntry's suggestion to check with a skewer is a reliable method. You may find, given the high humidity in Malaysia, that they can go for longer than 7 days. Humidity is more of an issue than heat; growers in a very dry heat would, I think, have to water more often than 5-7 days.
I am quite new to growing orchids myself, and those with more experience will be advising you, but personally I would remove the flower stalks on each orchid. Whether they have buds or blooms, they are diverting energy from the leaves & roots, & your orchids look like they need all the energy they can get. The orchid with crown rot is probably a goner - I had one in exactly the same state and eventually I had to throw it away. Keep trying, though - you may yet get a keiki (baby plant).
Malam yang baik dan semoga berjaya.
[I said good evening & good luck]
Cut the stems with sterile knife/scissors & dab powdered cinnamon on to cut edges, to stop infection.

Hello Catriona,

Thank you for your reply. I am afraid of removing the stem am I'm not sure how far I should cut. So out of the 3, the one with crown rot isn't going to come back to life?
Sigh, was hoping for a miracle.

[louisetee]

Here is an image of today's orchid. I am trying to upload multiple image but for some weird reason, It only allows one image per post.

[Cntry]

Originally Posted by louisetee

Here is an image of today's orchid. I am trying to upload multiple image but for some weird reason, It only allows one image per post.

This picture is looking a bit better today. The bottom leaf still has some yellowing on it but it don't look like its got any worse. You have a new leaf that has formed and looks ok. So this orchid has a good chance. Once leaves turn yellow they dry up and will fall off. They also do that when they are old. There are some very good videos on YouTube showing you how to cut the stems off and also take care of your Phal. As well as reading and checking out the forum here you can learn a lot of things.

[Catriona]

I think there's a possibility that the first orchid in your first pic may not survive either, but don't give up on it. There's a very good thread in Beginners' Discussion entitled "The Phal Abuse Stops Here" which, although long, is well worth reading. I agree with Cntry, the orchid in latest pic you posted looks a lot happier.

[louisetee]

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