Hello and advice sought

[tucansam]

Hello to all.

Over the last year or so, my wife has received three orchids, all of which are now in my care

I suspect that all three were simple big-box-store-bought plants, given on holidays. Neither she nor I know anything, really, about them, but they are beautiful when in bloom and I've been trying to educate myself over the last week or so.

All three have issues. The two oldest plants have varying degrees of root rot, and I have since re-potted both, although the re-pots were hasty at best and I may attempt to do it again, having learned more about the process, if it will not stress them too much.

The third plant has been in our home since Valentine's day, is still in bloom, but has developed spots on the leaves, yellow leaves, yellowing in the crown, and strange (almost like burns) spots on the flowers.

I do not wish to be just another noob who shows up to beg for help, and have been reading every website I can get my hands on. Still, having done that, I am having trouble diagnosing the problems and symptoms of said plants.

I have taken numerous pictures of each plant, but again, before I spam the forum with a ton of pics and newbie questions, I wanted to make sure I would not be ruffling any feathers by doing so!

I look forward to trying to bring these beautiful plants back to full health and enjoying them for many years to come, with much assistance from seasoned growers and kind souls here.

I will post details of their care thus far and pictures if requested.

Thanks!

[orion141]

I think a few pictures of each plant would be helpful in allowing us to give you some advice. Also, welcome to orchidboard!!

[tucansam]

Thank you!

I will do each as a separate post, largely so I can keep track!

This is the newest one, presently blooming. The leaves are turning leathery and brown and yellow, spots on other leaves, spots on flowers. The spread of whatever this is has been fairly rapid.

[tucansam]

#2. Leaves are droopy and beginning to yellow, has not bloomed or shown any new growth in over a year.

[tucansam]

#3. Also hasn't shown new growth in 6+ months, roots have strange white coating, yellowing of the base.

[tucansam]

The two without flowers have been cared for using the "ice cube" method as per the instructors on the card attached to each plant. Now I know better. Most recently, they have all been cared for with tap water, however after research I will be buying distilled water tomorrow.

I also have a high nitrogen fertilizer, and have been using the quarter-dose method. So far each plant has received one dose.

I believe I have been over-watering the two oldest (the ones not in bloom).

Much more to learn.

[Dollythehun]

Well, welcome. You have a lot to learn and the OB has a lot to teach! Ditch the ice cubes and distilled water may not be necessary, if your water is good. Phals are pretty accommodating.

[MattWoelfsen]

First, I must comment that you have a very healthy assortment of fruit--so you all eat well!

Let's talk about the blue Phal. You probably have learned these are dyed flowers? Some times the dye will cause darker blotches on the flower petals. So that is not a concern. These flowers will eventually die. When the plant blooms again, the flowers will be white.

For the other two older plants. The plant that still has flower spikes...and at one of the leaf base is showing yellow. That leaf will probably die soon. The flower spike next to it is also showing signs of dying. When this leaf falls off, you might consider cutting off the flower spike as close to the base without cutting or scratching healthy plant material.

The second plant looks healthy.

You won't stress these plants by repotting them. I would get smaller potting substrate.

I think these plants will be alright. You showed a picture of the roots of your blue Phal, those are well hydrated roots. As long as you have healthy roots, you have a good healthy plant.

Other things to consider...your plants should grow in warm, fresh, moving air. Most American city water is okay to use to water your plants because there are some healthy chemicals in the water. I fill up water jugs not to the top, allowing space for air exchange and keep the cap off, a day or two before I water my plants. This allows for cholorine and other gases to diminish. In the rainy season, I have rain barrels and water all my orchids with is natural water.

If you haven't read or heard the phrase regarding fertilizer yet: "water weekly, weakly." Is often advised.

[tucansam]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

First, I must comment that you have a very healthy assortment of fruit--so you all eat well!

Haha, yes indeed we do, although I must say it is very expensive to eat healthy these days! Much cheaper to buy garbage... sad that it has come to that.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Let's talk about the blue Phal. You probably have learned these are dyed flowers? Some times the dye will cause darker blotches on the flower petals. So that is not a concern. These flowers will eventually die. When the plant blooms again, the flowers will be white.

Honestly I have not read that anywhere until just now. Very interesting to know. But I look forward to the white flowers, those will be beautiful.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

For the other two older plants. The plant that still has flower spikes...and at one of the leaf base is showing yellow. That leaf will probably die soon. The flower spike next to it is also showing signs of dying. When this leaf falls off, you might consider cutting off the flower spike as close to the base without cutting or scratching healthy plant material.

Wonderful news. Should I, at any point, help the dying leaf along, or simply let nature take its course?

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

The second plant looks healthy.

In my posts above, the second has the droopy leaves. Is this the one to which you are referring? It literally has two or three good roots, the rest I had to trim. Its barely hanging on to the new media (I had a bag of much smaller potting material as you suggested, just hadn't repotted yet). My only concerns (aside from the hope that it will grow new, healthy roots) is that I had read that drooping leaves could indicate stress or dehydration, and the yellowing had me concerned as well.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I think these plants will be alright. You showed a picture of the roots of your blue Phal, those are well hydrated roots. As long as you have healthy roots, you have a good healthy plant.

The black spots on the healthy (?) green leaves, and the strange coloring and spots on the two leaves that are shriveling and yellowing, are what had me the most concerned. It resembled some of the pictures of fungal infections that I had been looking at online.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Other things to consider...your plants should grow in warm, fresh, moving air.

They are all presently in the kitchen, near a series of north-facing windows, whose shades we crack slightly during the day. So they are receiving plenty of indirect sunlight, although hopefully not too much. We keep the house at 70-72F, and there are no vents blowing air directly on the plants, however there are vents throughout the kitchen and dining areas, so there should be plenty of periodic airflow. I hope this arrangement is sufficient.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Most American city water is okay to use to water your plants because there are some healthy chemicals in the water. I fill up water jugs not to the top, allowing space for air exchange and keep the cap off, a day or two before I water my plants. This allows for cholorine and other gases to diminish. In the rainy season, I have rain barrels and water all my orchids with is natural water.

This is fantastic advice about the gasses, thank you. I will definitely take this advice. And rainy season is only a few months away, and I can certainly collect plenty.

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

If you haven't read or heard the phrase regarding fertilizer yet: "water weekly, weakly." Is often advised.

Thanks, everything I've read mentions once a week is sufficient, and any more than that may burn the roots. It has also been suggested that, for regular waterings, I should let the water flow through the pots freely for a period of time, in order to allow any accumulated salts to dissolve and be drained away. Followed by allowing the pots to soak for a few minutes, and then drain.

I get the feeling that the frequency of watering is not an exact science, that each plant is different, and that much of it is done by feel and experience. I have also read that its better to under-water than over-water. I can easily examine the roots of the plant that is presently blooming, as you have noted. The other two plants' roots are very small indeed after trimming back a lot of dead or rotting material, so what might you suggest would be a good way to determine whether or not the plant is indeed in need of water?

Thanks again so much for the help and information!!!

---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I agree with you both. Smaller bark, more frequent watering, less/more dilute fertilizer. Be sure to rinse your bark well and soak it overnight first. This moistens it and rinsed off any dust/silt that would clog the roots. I don't know where you got your bark but Lowe's has better grow for Phals and it works well enough.

Thank you Dolly. I picked up a bag of Better-Gro orchid mix after a lot of reading and recommendations I saw online.

The original (larger) material visible in the pictures is not gone (just finished repotting) and was a stop-gap measure... I picked up a bag of it in a sheer panic because -- and I will take any abuse you care to dish out -- in complete ignorance I thought a plant was a plant was a plant and placed one of the orchids in soil!!! Realized after some research that I was suffocating the roots, and of course that's the plant with the least in-tact root system now.

As far as frequency of watering, I have read everything from every-other-day waterings with a once-a-week fertilizer, to once a week waterings and no more, and then there's the pseudo-hydroponic setups in clay... This is probably the area where I need to learn the most at the moment.

Thanks again to all.

[Dollythehun]

Well said, Mattwoelfsen.