So many Small Leaves

[2orchid]

Hey guys,

I have a couple orchids that are growing a few small leaves. Is it normal for the plants to start growing a second leaf before the original one has grown to a nice size? Will the first leaf keep growing? (ps, these are phal orchids)

[estación seca]

It looks like they were happy at the original grower's, then not happy for a while, and are now happy again. The small leaves will probably not get much larger. Yes, Phals sometimes start a second leaf while another is growing, but usually it comes out in the opposite direction from the previous leaf. I don't know exactly why yours did that, but I suspect it sat someplace for a while and didn't get watered for a long time.

[nicola]

hi,
the two new leaves seem perfectly normal.
So the care you are giving is correct.
The medium seems to be bark that tends to retain less water.
Also I think that about five or six months ago the plants have had a period of drought.
The small and dark leaves will not grow much more, but the new growth looks healthy.
I am sure that in a few months the plant will be able to spike.
Good luck Nicola

[AndreaK]

I have a Phal. which decided to do this as well. I can tell you what I think caused mine to do so. It was sulking and not happy in its pot so I decided to mount it and move it to a higher light environment. The new leaves are much smaller than the old ones but they also seem to be healthier. They are much firmer in texture and the mottling on the leaves is more pronounced (its a Phal. Shilleriana) due to the higher light. Each new leaf is getting longer indicating it is happy now but had to recover from the "shock" its change in environment caused. It has also sent out many new roots. Continue the care you are giving it in a consistent manner and you should see the leaves get bigger with each new growth.