Soft leaves phal Brother litte yellowboy

[Jamielee]

Okay so I am housesitting for my mother and she has this phal that is in bloom with two spikes and a keiki on one of the spikes. The leaves are very soft, almost a rubbery, velvety feel. They are a little wrinkled and pretty floppy. What can I do for this little guy? I don't think my mother is watering it enough, it is in course bark mix in an east facing window. The leaves are pretty dark, it is probably not getting enough light either. I want to save it because I have dibs on that keiki!! Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Consuelo]

Hey there! I actually have the exact same question with mine. The leaves are soft and rubbery. Suggestions anyone?? Thanks

[Shirley]

Sounds to me as though it is losing it's roots, probably from overwatering. How often is it getting watered? Maybe time to do a repot so you can check it out.

[abiom]

Hi every one ....i agree with Shirley....it's time to take it out frm old pot and check the roots.cut off any bad/rotten roots.then let it rest i mean no bright light or fertiliser until new root start to emerge. when that happen,mount it,dont forget to mist it either. i do this to all my phal,so that overwater is not a problem at all.i believe ur plant is strong bcoz is has keiki on its spike.good luck

[Ray]

Lack of leaf turgidity is always due to insufficient osmotic pressure within the cells, but that can be due to a variety of factors, including insufficient watering or a compromised root system, preventing water uptake, so you have to look at the entire scenario before making a corrective-action call.

In this case, being right there, Jamielee noted that it's in coarse bark, so assuming she doesn't think it's badly decomposed, I'd vote with her judgment that it simply needs more water, and not disturb the thing by unpotting it.

Also, the fact that it has dark green leaves does not necessarily mean it needs more light. It might, but some of the best phals I've ever seen were in a greenhouse so dark with algae covering, I couldn't believe it. I think some people - me included - grow their phals too bright.

[Jamielee]

Thanks Ray, I think it is a watering issue because it was repotted a few months ago and the roots looked pretty healthy. Thanks for everyones help.

[Ranchnanny]

New to OB and love this site. I also have this problem with a Phal. I purchased a one of the large box stores. I brought this one home and straight away repotted it as it was in spaghnum moss and drenched . There were some rotted roots so I did cut them off. I repotted it in a Phal. mix. The flowers appear to be o.k. but my concern is that the leaves are soft. This isn't the first orchid I have purchased at a large box store and it is apparent that those folks don't care for them properly. They have a tendency to water to much then let them sit in the water. No more orchids from box stores for me unless I can see nice root system.
Sheridan

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

New to OB and love this site. I also have this problem with a Phal. I purchased a one of the large box stores. I brought this one home and straight away repotted it as it was in spaghnum moss and drenched . There were some rotted roots so I did cut them off. I repotted it in a Phal. mix. The flowers appear to be o.k. but my concern is that the leaves are soft. This isn't the first orchid I have purchased at a large box store and it is apparent that those folks don't care for them properly. They have a tendency to water to much then let them sit in the water. No more orchids from box stores for me unless I can see nice root system.
Sheridan

Hello to you also Sheridan. Don't give up on the Big Box Stores. They sometimes have great plants. Just be careful. I always repot mine when I get home. I find the ones I havce access to to be in clear plastic pots (which I really like) where I can check the roots and watch for crawlers. I do agree with your assessment, though. Not everyone is an orchid fan or knows how to care for orchids.

[Ranchnanny]

Ross here is a question for you. I posted this question earlier today somewhere on OB so I will ask you. Have you ever mounted any orchids on bark? I plan to mount 6 windowsill Catts on Cottonwood Bark. It is really course and resembles Cork Bark. I have read folks use cedar, oak, cork, tree fern, driftwood etc... I have access to lots of cottonwood bark. What do you think?

Thanks Loads
Sheridan

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

Ross here is a question for you. I posted this question earlier today somewhere on OB so I will ask you. Have you ever mounted any orchids on bark? I plan to mount 6 windowsill Catts on Cottonwood Bark. It is really course and resembles Cork Bark. I have read folks use cedar, oak, cork, tree fern, driftwood etc... I have access to lots of cottonwood bark. What do you think?

Thanks Loads
Sheridan

Sheridan, I know what Cottonwood is and think you might want to look for something more long lasting. Cottonwood is a Poplar of sorts and not very resistant to decay. I have used Southern Live Oak bark, I have used true cork bark (rough and smooth), I have used Apple, Grape vines, but not Cottonwood. So I really can't recommend it. Sorry. Yes, I have mounted several orchids, just not on Cottonwood. If you can get Oak bark or slabs from a local sawmill, that might be better.