What to do with phal floppy leaves?

[greenpassion]

Hello everyone. I need advice on how to proceed with a phal that is struggling to come back from someone's mis-care. This phal I now have potted in orchiata, and is in an eastern window. I acquired it months ago, with it was still in bloom, and it was spectacular. I noted that the leaves were getting wrinkled, and so unspotted it to check out the roots. It had maybe 2 viable roots, and the rest were rotted. My guess is the spectacular blooms were a last ditch effort on it's part...that said, I cut the spike, bloom and all, in order to give the plant more energy to recuperate. Thus far, she's grown 2 new air roots, just now going down into the bark, and also a new leaf. My question is, should I remove the lower 2 super floppy dehydrated leaves? They are clearly soon to sluff off anyway, (I think) but in removing them, would that give her even more energy to become stronger?

---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:30 PM ----------

Also want to add.that I reported it in fresh orchiata.

[Roberta]

Let the leaves fall on their own. If they still have any green - or moisture- they're contributing to, not draining from, the plant which needs all the help and sustenance it can get. I know they look unattractive, but when the plant is truly done with them they'll drop naturally.

[greenpassion]

Thank you Roberta 😊

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

should I remove the lower 2 super floppy dehydrated leaves? They are clearly soon to sluff off anyway, (I think) but in removing them, would that give her even more energy to become stronger?

Energy is stored in spikes, leaves, roots etc. removing them is actually taking away energy, not "giving" energy. A flowering spike though is "taking away" energy. Unless the leaf has a spreading black spot, it is useful to the phal as a source of stored nutrition. Some orchids have pseudobulbs, but other orchids store their food in their thick leaves. If a leaf is ready to fall off it turns a banana yellow color, and then eventually falls off.

[Cym Ladye]

When green leaves shrivel it means that the roots are not getting enough moisture to them, either from under watering or they have rotted due to over watering. Check your pot to determine which problem you have.

A friend repotted hers in a bark mix and then proceeded to water it as if it were in moss. Totally dried mix after 4 months so the poor roots had had no moisture to carry to the leaves.

[Merita]

Hello greenpassion! Do not cut the leaves, I have recovered some wrapping them in wet towel paper, several times in the day. Aesthetics is important, but first is the plant. I have some with black spots under the leaves, the sequel of the mites and I cure them with Daconil so that the fungus is not dispersed, because they are still strong, and I have succeeded, and they will fall when it is time.

[camille1585]

Just from experience, if the leaves are severely wilted from underwatering and not from loss of roots, the leaves may never get completely firm again. It seems that there is a point of no return from which wilted leaves won't recover 100% even once the plant in back in ideal conditions with regular watering.

[greenpassion]

Thank you all for your replies. I have left the leaves on and they have yellowed and falling off on their own. I have nice new Roots growing and it's put out a new Leaf already. As I think I had said in an earlier post when I received her I put her in an orchid bark mix. So she seems to be on the comeback!