Phal won't grow new leaves - Orchid Board

Aubs86 · #1 06-17-2016, 04:58 PM

Hi everyone!
I live in the northeast and have been growing orchids for about 6 years. I have them in a west window without any direct sun hitting them. I have Noid phals and a few oncidiums and a Maxilaria Tenufolia. 9 in total. So far they are all thriving except for one. It happens to be the first one that I bought.
It's a phal that I have had for about 6 years. Since I bought it it has never grown a new leaf. Once a year it puts out a short spike but only gives me one flower. The color of the leaves indicate to me that it gets good light, it has a good root system, no rotting roots. I fertilize every other watering. Any ideas what could be the problem with him?
Thanks sooooo much!

Leafmite · #2 06-17-2016, 10:55 PM

Six years and never a new leaf? I can see why you are concerned. How warm is your home? Some of the Phals need temperatures above 80'F to grow (it really depends on the ancestry) and if your home is cooler due to air conditioning, it will just happily sit there, doing nothing. If it does get the warm temperatures, try a little more light.

Aubs86 · #3 06-17-2016, 11:45 PM

Well, our house is about 76 degrees, we don't run the ac very often at all. I will try to find a way to get it more light and see what happens. Do you think the fact that it only gives me one flower is a clue that something is wrong? When I first bought it it had a nice long spike with lots of blooms. Thanks again for taking the time to respond!

estación seca · #4 06-18-2016, 01:52 AM

It looks like it's getting enough light. Phals are shade plants, so that is not the problem. I would not risk burning it by giving it more light.

76 F / 24C is not warm from the perspective of a Phal. I would also vote for temperature as the issue. Many houses in the US are not warm enough for phals to be truly happy in the summer if they are air conditioned. Many houses in the winter are so cold, the phals just barely survive. Some hybrids may need more warmth than others.

Ray · #5 06-18-2016, 07:48 AM

How often do you water, how much fertilizer do you use per-gallon, and what is the formula?

Aubs86 · #6 06-19-2016, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

How often do you water, how much fertilizer do you use per-gallon, and what is the formula?

I water each orchid as needed, usually once a week to every 10 days. I'm using the Better-Gro Orchid Plus,
20-14-13. I use the fertilizer every other watering at the suggested amount of 1 tbls per gallon. I would love to see this little guy start growing!

estación seca · #7 06-19-2016, 01:32 AM

1 Tablespoon per gallon / 15ml powder per 3.78 liters is a huge amount of fertilizer for a Phalaenopsis. A lot of people use between 1/8 and 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. You're using 12-24 times as much. Many people fertilize somewhere between weekly and monthly during warm weather. I don't know that this is why your plant isn't growing leaves, but it's certainly not underfertilized.

Purpoh · #8 06-19-2016, 01:32 AM

That is so strange! Our phalaenopsis orchids never go above 78 and never drop below 65 or so. They send out tons of blooms every year, good roots, and new leaves. From what you've said, I'd think it would be thriving. We have about 20 phals.
P.s. About fertilizer
We fertilize ours weekly or every other week with a full tablespoon per gallon. It seems to work, not sure on the standard. A local orchid hybridizer fertilizes once week no matter what (except in winter of course)

Orchid Whisperer · #9 06-19-2016, 01:39 AM

Too strong on fertilizer, and too often. I would get rid of the green reindeer moss. Is the plant potted in bark (generally, bark is good)? I see some live roots, a good sign. Leaves look dehydrated, I would water more often, whenever the roots appear silvery. Do so at the sink, running water through the bark in the pot.

If where you live in the USA has warm summers, and growing outdoors IN THE SHADE is an option, try doing that. Summer outdoors is a great way to raise the temperature.

Aubs86 · #10 06-19-2016, 09:12 AM

[QUOTE=Orchid Whisperer;808091] Is the plant potted in bark (generally, bark is good)? I see some live roots, a good sign.

yes I prefer bark as well for my phals. This orchid actually has really good root growth and some are growing now. Do you think I have it over potted?

Oh, one more question, why should I take the reindeer moss off? I only have a few pieces on top for looks and I thought it might help slow down drying after watering. But if it could cause harm I don't want it!