Phalaenopsis orchid problems with leaves and plant

[TerryN]

I have two phalaenopsis plants they were doing well. Then I have noticed that the leaves colors and texture is changing. I have enclosed a picture of both plants. Ideas would be helpful on what is wrong.

Thanks

[jkofferdahl]

Your plants appear to be very dried out. I see some wrinkling that's indicative. Please ignore any instructions you were given with your plants, and thoroughly water them. Flush the pots with water. In fact, this might be a good time to put each plant into a bowl and just soak them for about 15 minutes. Move them to an area that's a bit shadier than where they are now, too; it appears that they're getting direct sun where they are posed, which is too much for a Phalaenopsis. Let the potting media get just dry before re-watering. Never be shy about running too much water through the pot when watering so long as it quickly runs through the bottom.

[charlesf6]

Tell us a little more about your plants how long you've had them, light, water e.g.
They do appear a little dry in them photos.

[bil]

If they are in pure bark with plenty of space for air to flow thru, then it is most likely as said above, that they have been under watered. In pure bark, as long as it doesn't break down, it is impossible to overwater them.

Leaves that go soft and leathery will in my experience do one of two things. If the drying has gone to far then the leaf will continue to wither till it drops off naturally.

If the leaf is saveable it can stay leathery for quite a long time, so don't pull it off, but keep watering the plant properly. It can take a long time, but one day you will suddenly realise that the leaf has hardened up again.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

As above. I think they will recover well. Most people overwater Phals, which kills them quicker than underwatering.

There is a good thread here on taking care of Phals:

The Phal abuse ends here.

[rbarata]

Ideas would be helpful on what is wrong.

Welcome to the board.
As others said, not enough water and too much light.
If your temps are the average temps in a house (65 to 70 F) put them in a south window 10 ft away from it (without direct sunlight) and water it once a week.

[Ophiel]

The leaves look very dry. When were they last repotted? How do the roots inside look?

[TerryN]

I just wanted to say thanks for the information.

[Optimist]

Phals store water in the leaves, like many others store it in the stems (pseudobulbs). If you have floppy, thin leaves with wrinkled lines in them, that means they need more water. They are very dehydrated. Houses are often very dry in the winter. Do you have a humidifier going?