Sick Phal Schilleriana Pink Butterfly - Orchid Board

BKFSRS · #1 02-22-2013, 12:51 AM

I just got this plant two weeks ago and I'm trying to figure out what has gone wrong. I bought two and the other one is fine, at least for now. I just pulled it out of the Spag tonight because a few of the green roots showing through the clear pot were starting to turn brown in spots. I didn't have any bark mix, so I put it in a Semi-Hydro pot with Leca. I've had it in a southern window that gets full sun for about two hours, but is shaded with an overhang. It's been on a heat mat with my other Phals, since the windows here in Chicago are cold! It went down hill so fast I wondered if this might be a virus or sunburn. The roots didn't look that bad actually, some were mushy, but most were still green and not soft. I know that putting it in SHydro will stress it, but I figured I needed to get it out of that damn moss. I don't see any new root growth, so it may not make it in SH. Thanks for any ideas.

WhiteRabbit · #2 02-22-2013, 05:11 PM

Looks sun burned. My home has a modest roof over-hang, but the south facing window gets direct sun pretty much all day this time of year. Too much for a phal, especially a mottled leaved one. I have high light plants in the south facing window in winter, in summer I put lower light plants there.

Perhaps your window is more shaded than mine tho. But, maybe the plant needs to be more slowly acclimated to the strong southern winter light, or it's just too strong there this time of year. Might be appropriate in summer when the sun is high in the sky and not directly hitting that window.

BKFSRS · #3 02-23-2013, 12:30 AM

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to move it out of the direct sun based on your comments. I didn't really know about the differences in sun intensity for winter vs summer.

TropicalOrchids · #4 02-23-2013, 12:36 AM

Definitely sunburn. Mine did the same but once I moved it in shadier location with morning sun, it recovered quickly. Did you know that the flowers have a slight rosy scent? (at least mine does)

WhiteRabbit · #5 02-23-2013, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BKFSRS

Ok, thanks for the feedback. I'm going to move it out of the direct sun based on your comments. I didn't really know about the differences in sun intensity for winter vs summer.

Yeah, in winter the sun is lower in the sky, to the south.

BKFSRS · #6 02-23-2013, 03:38 AM

Yes, I have noticed the scent, it's great. I hope it recovers. Now I'm concerned about my other Phals which are in the same location! They've been there for a while, but it sounds like I better give them more shade than the Catts and Dends on the same shelf, at least during the winter. I must be pushing the limit. Thanks

NYCorchidman · #7 02-23-2013, 06:34 PM

I wish your plant the best.
It is a good plant with pretty flowers and leaves.

orchidsarefun · #8 02-23-2013, 06:46 PM

I am in the Chicago area - with all my phals on racks close to south facing windows. I have to use shade cloth basically year round as the sun is just too hot. ( 50% shade cloth/ or aluminet ).

I just got a Schilleriana from Hausermann's today - a magnificent 2 spiked beauty. I am looking forward to the blooms. Hausermanns have an open house for the next 2 weekends - you HAVE to go !

Another tip - if you are going to get species phals, read up about their cultural requirements ( IOSPE site is free and good, so is OrchidWiz - but at a price ) This one also requires high humidity year round.....around 80%, per Orchidwiz.

BKFSRS · #9 02-23-2013, 07:21 PM

Wow, I was just at Haus last weekend but didn't see the schills. I do have window UV solar shades so I'll try that but wasn't sure if it would filter out the good rays also. My other Phals have thrived without the shade but this is the first winter so close to the window. I had read up on Schills but didn't catch the humidity aspect. Can I ask how you supply the humidity in a Chicago window?

orchidsarefun · #10 02-23-2013, 07:35 PM

well 3 ways
- I have a whole house humidifier set to 50% ( more would cause mold, and you can't go higher anyway on the setting )
- an evaporative room humidifier that I leave on 24/7
- daily misting of plants and roots
Even the above won't keep the humidity anywhere near 80%, but I figure its worth trying.
I also mess with the air vents and keep the doors closed - but that works mainly with the cooler temp phals and orchids..

they had a lot of schills in bloom, mainly smaller ones with one spike. They may have brought these in for the open house as 3 weeks ago they didn't have any. They also have phal Orchid World which is fabulous, and fragrant too. Both are in or near the display area where they have the oncids, paphs and catts.