Repotted Phal is Struggling

[Dollythehun]

I took my phals from bark to moss and moss mix to new moss mix. In most cases, I lost a lower leaf. You can buy a small, inexpensive cool mist humidifier or set them on a humidity tray. My phals run 45-60% RH with no problems.

[estación seca]

By the way, Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I've read your messages here. I still think you aren't watering often enough. Is your house air conditioned? That makes for low humidity. The pot has holes in the sides, so it dries out rapidly.

Going from moss to bark means the plant will need watering much more often to maintain the same degree of root moistness. If watered enough, this will not be a problem.

You can check moistness inside the bark with a wooden cooking skewer, like checking a cake:
Using skewers to determine when to water

When you do water, be sure to run water through the entire pot, getting all the bark wet. New bark will not absorb much water. As it ages it breaks down a little, and holds more water.

[Biscuit&Gravy]

bwehr28,

Just reinforcing all the great advice above: I live in N. Illinois and have had the exact thing happen to a larger older phal. that was planted in a moss/bark mix, originally from the grocery store. I put it in Better Grow too and thought it would be fine with the transition but it wilted, grew more roots and bottom leaves turned yellow. I found it didn't get enough water...even when I watered it more often. I eventually found when I changed it to half sphagnum and bark it bounced back very quickly. It seems like most of my phals like this transition much better (I found out this the hard way being newer to orchids.) Only two of mine could have cared less about going to straight bark. I don't know if this will help you too but I hope so!

[bwehr28]

Thank you Biscuit and Gravy! It has bounced back since I've been watering it more often, but it is about to lose another bottom leaf. I think I am going to sprinkle a finer Conifer bark into the mix while the orchid is still resting. On the upside, I have a medium sized Phal that has come back into bloom with bright white leaves! It's an encouraging reminder to keep up with the process.