What makes orchids grow multiple small leaves at once?

[PaphLover]

I have a few orchids (sedirea japonica, a couple phals) that are growing multiple leaves at one time instead of growing one proper, full-grown leaf at a time. Why would this be happening?

The phal seems to be growing quite lopsided, though I have the non-growing side facing the light.

---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 PM ----------

Is there any way to delete your own mistaken multiple post?

[estación seca]

This is just a guess about monopodials, based on my Vanda seedlings. In the spring I was out of town for a week. I modified one zone of my outdoor automatic irrigation system to spray the orchids with water while I was gone. I didn't count on an extreme windstorm, which blew a lot of the plants away from the spray zone. They were dried and suffering when I returned.

I think sometimes, during periods of poor care by the owner, monopodials may continue to form new leaves, but they don't expand. Then, when things improve, the formed leaves begin expanding. The older pre-formed leaves don't expand much, so you are left with a bunch pushing out at the same time. The newest leaf attains full size, but there is a collar of tiny leaves below it, to remind you constantly of how bad you were.

Re deleting: I don't know whether it always works, but when you hit the Edit button there might be a checkbox near the top for Delete post.

[PaphLover]

Ah, I see. Well, consider my hand slapped.

[silken]

Originally Posted by PaphLover

I have a few orchids (sedirea japonica, a couple phals) that are growing multiple leaves at one time instead of growing one proper, full-grown leaf at a time. Why would this be happening?

The phal seems to be growing quite lopsided, though I have the non-growing side facing the light.

---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 PM ----------

Is there any way to delete your own mistaken multiple post?

I deleted the other thread that had no comments added to it.

[dbarron]

Lol, but water starved is superior to the one that sat in a saucer and drowned and was rotten on your return.
Seriously, I know the feeling when an oncidium taunts me with slightly twisted leaves, or a miltonia gives me crinkled leaves. And knowing you have to live with that reproach for years *sigh*. It has driven me to commit horrible deeds and just say, well for that...you can just thirst to death, so I can throw it away.