Phal bellina limp transparent leaf

[guccisimo85]

This phal bellina has a leaf this quite limp, yellowing at the edges. Also noticed today that it is quite transparent - you can see your fingers very clearly through the leaf if you hold it up to the light. The other leaves are noticeably thicker and not limp.

Only thing I can think of is that I just got it recently and it was quite dry when I received it. I soaked it today for 15 minutes to hopefully give it a chance to recover. I’ve also moved it to lower light for now, as it was getting around 600 PPFD / 3600 fc.

Any thoughts on what might be wrong, or is it common for this to occur if they dry out?

[Leafmite]

I just took a look at mine and when I held mine up to the light, I could see the shadows of my fingers, so I think that is normal. As long as the roots turn green when given the chance to soak up water, all is well.

I have mine in NZ sphagnum moss and I let it get completely dry before I water again. It seems to be fine with that. I just put it in new moss and I think it was dry a little longer than usual but the roots I could see turned green so that means it is fine (it is in a basket pot).

[Carebear2]

My bellina can handle going dry but it will drop it's flower if it is flowering if it happens - this tells me my bellina although it can handle it does not like going dry.
Transport stress and even sometimes losing a whole leaf because of it is not uncommon. As long as your roots look healthy and the new growth too then I would not worry too much about a lower leaf dropping. It can be an indication something is wrong but it can be nothing to worry about too

[guccisimo85]

Thanks for the reassurance that all hope may not be lost! I soaked it in quantum probiotics for 30 mins last night and then left it overnight at around 70F with low humidity and lots of ventilation/air movement. I am told that it is not uncommon for these plants coming in from Taiwan to have “micro fungus” that shows up following the transport stress. I will keep a close eye on it and let it dry out before I water it again. Fingers crossed!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by guccisimo85

Thanks for the reassurance that all hope may not be lost! I soaked it in quantum probiotics for 30 mins last night and then left it overnight at around 70F with low humidity and lots of ventilation/air movement. I am told that it is not uncommon for these plants coming in from Taiwan to have “micro fungus” that shows up following the transport stress. I will keep a close eye on it and let it dry out before I water it again. Fingers crossed!

Question... what is your temperature range? Phal. bellina (and its close relative Phal. violacea) have a reputation for needing more warmth than most Phals. 70 deg F should be OK, but what about daytime temp? That particular leaf looks like it may drop... but as long as the crown is OK, you'll get new growth and the new leaves should be fine.

[guccisimo85]

Daytime temps are around 95F I was actually worried it might be getting to hot even for warm growing species. I drop it down to 65F at night usually but I won’t the next few nights to give it more time to dry out.

Originally Posted by Roberta

Question... what is your temperature range? Phal. bellina (and its close relative Phal. violacea) have a reputation for needing more warmth than most Phals. 70 deg F should be OK, but what about daytime temp? That particular leaf looks like it may drop... but as long as the crown is OK, you'll get new growth and the new leaves should be fine.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by guccisimo85

This phal bellina has a leaf this quite limp, yellowing at the edges. Also noticed today that it is quite transparent - you can see your fingers very clearly through the leaf if you hold it up to the light. The other leaves are noticeably thicker and not limp.

GS ...... your photos show a single leaf. Is this the top-most leaf ? Or some other leaf?

And how long have you had this phal for roughly?

Also check the state of the media and roots - just in case.

[guccisimo85]

I’ve only had it about a week and transplanted it when I got it, so likely in transplant shock. Was part of a group order and several other people have also commented that their plants aren’t the healthiest. This is the lowest leaf on the plant. I did check the roots today and they appear to still be absorbing water. It’s off because one of its other leaves is looking dry and wrinkled and this one is limp... The loss of pigment around the leaf edges (almost transparent) is also very strange to me...

Originally Posted by SouthPark

GS ...... your photos show a single leaf. Is this the top-most leaf ? Or some other leaf?

And how long have you had this phal for roughly?

Also check the state of the media and roots - just in case.

[SouthPark]

GS ----- thanks for mentioning those details. Maybe just prop up the leaf on some mesh - and give it gentle light. Maintain a nice comfortable temperature - for the roots too. And some gentle air-movement.

Just assuming you're growing other phals too. If the other leaves stay nice and healthy, then it should all pan out well in the end.

That thin translucent leaf may start to bulk up once it starts doing some more growing.

[technical_support]

Did the leaf ever perk up? I saw this thread and was curious what the PPFD on the plant is now.

I grow mine under LED light at about 50 PPFD.