Help phrag with brown leaf tips

[littleflower]

I’ve researched this problem with differing views.....too much salt (I use tap water) vs not enough humidity. I think I may be underwatering, usually 2x/wk but soil dies get dry. Ideas? It’s my only phrag and it simply isn’t thriving.

[DirtyCoconuts]

i keep my phrag always moist..might be underwatered or stressed from the dryness

[littleflower]

Thank you! Do you water every day? I’ve heard people placing the orchid in a saucer with water and pebbles, not quite sure how to do that

[DirtyCoconuts]

i do water most of my plants daily but i have set it up for that because, quite frankly, i like watering.

I have actually just moved my Pharg into semi Hydro culture which is very well covered on this forum, basically, a container that holds some water at the bottom and is full of a wicking, non-organic medium.i use Hydroton a form of LECA

[littleflower]

Thanks so much, I will look for that

[DirtyCoconuts]

My pleasure

[Roberta]

I suspect that it really wants more water - Phrags don't like to dry out at all. They also tend to be on the picky side with regard to water quality. So if the water is on the hard side, and they're not getting enough water to flush out any accumulated salts, those brown leaf tips are likely to be the result. If water is on the hard side, it might be better to water every day, letting the water run out of the pot, rather than sitting in a saucer of water. (Like DC, I like to water....) If water quality is pretty good, the saucer approach lets one water a little less often.

[littleflower]

We don’t have hard water, we live in a suburban area.... Not sure about the water quality. Would distilled water be better? As long as I am fertilizing on a regular basis? Thanks for the help

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by littleflower

We don’t have hard water, we live in a suburban area.... Not sure about the water quality. Would distilled water be better? As long as I am fertilizing on a regular basis? Thanks for the help

If you fertilize with a formula that is designed for pure water (low phosphorus, with some calcium and magnesium), distilled water may be beneficial. (At about 1/4 of whatever it says on the label... Phrags are light feeders) Your water supplier can give you an analysis of your water (at least it will give you a range) Knowledge is power... before you change something, it is a good idea to know what you are starting with. (Suburban vs urban vs rural doesn't say anything about what minerals are in your water, and how much. The mineral content of water is very location-specific.) For a start, just water more often, and let the water run through the pot.

Some orchids need to dry out between waterings. Phrags definitely don't - in nature, most grow near seeps or springs, or even at the edge of streams.

[littleflower]

Thank you, I will start with more water 😊