What is the cause for Phals with floppy leaves (not dehydration)

[Edew]

Hi orchid friends. I have question: what is the reason for some Phals to have floppy/limp leaves when they are not dehydrated?

I’ve noticed this with 2 of my Phals (both are from the same USA grower - Plainview Pure Orchids in New Jersey). They both have very light green leaves with that red suntan (possibly received a lot of light at the nursery?)

Could it be an issue of the plant not receiving enough calcium while at the nursery? The newest leaf on one of them (under my care) is growing much more turgid/stiff.

Has anyone else experienced this? Just found it curious 😄

[rbarata]

I suspect there's nothing wrong with your plant but some photos are adviseable for a more detailled observation.

[Edew]

@rbarata I agree, the Phals seem fine. I am curious to know whether it’s a nutrient deficiency or genetics or something else? Lol

Here’s some pics. The leca Phal is my older one, putting out some new roots. The new Phal has a great root system from what I can tell, so it’s not that.

I noticed most of the Phals at the store from the same grower had these long, floppy leaves. Only a few plants didn’t, and even though they were big leaves, they stood their own lol. So strange.

[Roberta]

I can't see the pot and media on the new one very well, but of what I can see, the moss looks old, there are some roots that don't look great. You may see nice green roots against the plastic, but I suspect that there are some bad ones in the middle, Maybe roots aren't the problem, but I would not be so sure until the plant is unpotted and you get a good look. You can get away with that even while the plant is blooming... if you find that what's in the pot isn't so great, if you're gentle you can clean off moss that is not clinging tightly. (No need to clean off everything, just take what is easy) Don't be in a rush to trim roots even if they look bad, even a bad one is still capable of hydrating the plant. But fresh media can work wonders, especially in stimulating the growth of new ones.

[Subrosa]

If the plant can't maintain normal turgidity it's definitely dehydrated, no matter how much moisture is available to it. I strongly suspect Roberta is right in suspecting root issues.

[Edew]

Originally Posted by Roberta

I can't see the pot and media on the new one very well, but of what I can see, the moss looks old, there are some roots that don't look great. You may see nice green roots against the plastic, but I suspect that there are some bad ones in the middle, Maybe roots aren't the problem, but I would not be so sure until the plant is unpotted and you get a good look. You can get away with that even while the plant is blooming... if you find that what's in the pot isn't so great, if you're gentle you can clean off moss that is not clinging tightly. (No need to clean off everything, just take what is easy) Don't be in a rush to trim roots even if they look bad, even a bad one is still capable of hydrating the plant. But fresh media can work wonders, especially in stimulating the growth of new ones.

I repotted the new one (was gifting to my mum) and surprisingly it has phenomenal roots. Only 1-2 dead ones in a mass of healthy ones. I hydrated it so will see if the leaves perk up. My older one in the leca has less roots (but they are healthy and are enough to support the plant) and it is actively growing 3 new roots.

But in my experience with these Phals with long floppy but not wrinkly leaves, only the new leaves under my care grow stiff and turgid. I fertilize with ‘all the fixings’ as they say. That’s what leads me to suspect some sort of nutrient deficiency, but I’m no expert lol. Or maybe the leaves are just so heavy and long they naturally droop? But I had a big Phal with super stiff, long leaves. So perplexing 🤔

[aliceinwl]

Maybe it’s just the plant? One of my oldest Phals has and has always had floppy leaves. It has great roots and put out a spectacular spike this year with over 20 flowers.

Alternatively check your watering regime. I have a few Phals that get leaf droop like this if subjected to more than 24 hrs of dry conditions. If I slip up, it takes a couple of weeks of diligent watering for the leaves to perk back up. These plants have great roots too. They suffer, however, if kept too wet for too long so I just have to monitor them more closely than my other Phals to keep them happy.

[twinkie]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

Maybe it’s just the plant? One of my oldest Phals has and has always had floppy leaves. It has great roots and put out a spectacular spike this year with over 20 flowers.

Alternatively check your watering regime. I have a few Phals that get leaf droop like this if subjected to more than 24 hrs of dry conditions. If I slip up, it takes a couple of weeks of diligent watering for the leaves to perk back up. These plants have great roots too. They suffer, however, if kept too wet for too long so I just have to monitor them more closely than my other Phals to keep them happy.

I have one phal like that too. The roots are good, but I suspect what is happening is that the sun - when not hitting the leaves themselves - is actually warming the smaller pot too much while most of the leaves are not actually taking any sun, warming the roots/pot and drying it too quickly. Plus, I don't like the bark in that pot, I think it's too big of chunks and this is a mini phal also. He requires more eye and tinkering, the other phals can handle the heat and lower humidity.