Phalqenopsis Leaves limp and wrinkley

[dls10]

Here is a pic of the roots they dont look good at all,,,,, what is this from????? to much water or not enough water or what? Should I cut off the brown dead looking stuff?

[dennis]

Originally Posted by dls10

Here is a pic of the roots they dont look good at all,,,,, what is this from????? to much water or not enough water or what? Should I cut off the brown dead looking stuff?

debra the brown roots are dead you need to cut them off. do not cut the ones that are green, white or firm. this happened from to much water. this is why people do not like moss it is a little trickier than barki read your first post but it was to late. you said you only water once a week but the moss was always damp. that right there was the killer to the root system. i have some in moss and the only time they get water is when the moss is dry which is right around a week. if it starts staying damp any longer than that then it is time to check and see what is causing it. it might just be humidity is high that week or the roots are going bad and the plant is not taking the water in like it should. after you get the roots cleaned up you can sprinkle a little cinnamon on the cut ends only not the entire root ball it can help.next you need to decide how nice the flowers are and if you want to keep them, the plant has gone through alot of stress and the blooms are taking all the energy from the plant. i would cut the spike off repot and maybe enclose the plant in a bag to help raise the humidity around the plant so it can recover. if you go this route place it in a low light and warm area and leave it in for at least three weeks. continue to check on it every few days, once you see new roots start to develop you can take it back out and replace it in your window so it can recieve the light it needs. alot of people will tell you to trash it and start over you can buy a new one for less than 20 dollars personally i like the challenge and the gratification i get by saving them. you need anymore help feel free to ask we are all here to help you and your phal

[dls10]

Dennis,
I did cut off the dead roots and put it in a orchid mix mainly bark, I watered it good and let all the excess water drain off. I put it back in the same window. We live in florida and the humidity is usually high and we still dont have the air on ( I hate to be cold ) anyway if I were to cut off the flowers as you are saying where would I cut them? Down by the main leaves or what? Or can I wait alittle bit to see if it starts getting better? Oh and should I give it orchid food? I did that 2 weeks ago now.

[Dorothy]

As you can see, you will get different advice from different people because of different conditions their plants are subject to. Orchids are a learning experience with the knowledge of others to direct and guide you but nothing is carved in stone.
I can tell you of my experiences .. with phals and repotting , I have found I lost no open blooms. This was after removing many rotten roots and adding high nitrogen fertilizing( half strength from the directions) and a bit of rooting hormone to waterings. Less than 2 months, my phals recovered . During the time before repotting and rebloom, some of the undeveloped buds dried and fell off but the small shock was worth it because the spike end regained strength and began growing buds again.. granted, they won't be as grand as the initial buds but the plant endured, survived and is happier than ever.
The reason why the rots rotted was because they were grown in sphag moss and with the conditions here .. my roots remained soggy and didn't dry out as well as they should have.
Good luck !
Great growing !

[dls10]

Thank you all for the advice I will cut the flowers back if someone will tell me where to cut, do I cut a the whole stem to the leaves or what I'm not sure where I should cut them. I really dont want to loose this plant it was given to me just a few weeks ago in the hospital with a get well card from a very special friend.

[Dorothy]

If you must cut .. the 3rd node up from the bottom of the base of the spike is the standard.
But don't panic .. phals are quite resilent ..
Good luck!

[Oscarman]

No doubt it has become obvious that there are as many opinions as there are growers.

My 2 cents:
- if you are not sure what is going on in the pot, always knock it out and have a look.
- if the current growing media does not suit your habits or growing conditions repot it into something that does. I now prefer to do it upon signs of new growth, although I used to do as Sue does....repot immediately upon receipt into the current media I was using.
- if your orchid is struggling, remove the flower spike and repot.
- if you are re-potting, remove the flower spike.

Cut off your phal spike 1/2" from the base of the plant. When it is healthy enough to support flowers, it will send out a new spike and flower again.

It is always better to sacrifice the flowers and spare the plant. They will look nice in a vase anyway!

If you cut it off above a node on the stem, your plant may try to grow a new flower stem from that node. Orchids can flower themselves to death!

Ok....that was really my $2.00 worth!

[dls10]

Thank you Dorothy and Dave for your 2.00 worth LOL I will cut the flowers off and put them in a vase. I will keep everyone updated on the progress of my poor Phal.

[dls10]

Well I would like to Thank all that have helped to save my Phal. I took everyone's advice and cut off the flowers, repotted and put in a plastic bag and I have a new leave that is now about 4" long. The other leaves look better but not as good as they should yet, but it is definately looking better and not dieing.
Now I would like to know when I should take it out of the bag and should I take it out of the bark to see how the roots are doing? I almost feel I should leave well enough alone and just watch it.

[justatypn]

Debra, sounds like your making one phal a happy camper. You've done well with the progress noting new growth, less-limp leaves. It will take a few months for the limp leaves to gain in strength, only from my experience.

Personally I would not take this guy out of the bag just yet. It will hender it's growth efforts if taken out to soon. I have kept my sphag n bag up to 3 months.

Go by your feeling of leaving well enough alone. Your going in the right direction, keep up the good work..