Phal lobbi culture

[ladyslipper]

Hi guys, I got my shipment from Orchids in our Tropics today and I was really happy with how well the plants were packed. They all pretty much survived being in the dark since last Tuesday.

The Phal lobbi, however had roots that were quite dried out and being a semi deciduous the leaf that it had looks a little beaten but when I look at other postings on this board of lobbi's my guy looks okay. Terry suggested I either surround the mount in sphagum or sit the mount in some damp sphagum for awhile to let the plant come back a bit. I did soak the plant then hung it in an open container til tomorrow thinking the humidity in the container might be a bit higher.

Does anyone have any suggestions to help bring the plant back to health? (I am not keen on sphag and bag since I killed the one plant I tried this on and really, I don't think the plant is that far gone). This is my first deciduous phal so I don't have alot of experience. After the plant climatizes to Calgary, should I withhold water abit? How do you know how much to water them? This plant is mounted so I was going to spray it primarily and dunk it when I was fertilizing everyone (which is done once a month, rotating through different fertilizers).

Any thoughts, recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

thanks, mary

[weng]

You can't overwater a mounted plant, so just water every day or two and wait till spring.

Weng

PS. I wouldn't put anything in in a bag either.

[Tindomul]

I agree to a certain extent. If the mount does not dry out because you have it in wet sphag inside a container or a bag (Sphag and bag) it will certainly rot. Keep it mounted, keep it humid, and water it/spray it when ever it becomes dry. Mine get heavily sprayed with water once every morning and by the next morning they are dry. They definitely enjoy drying out. Just not for more than two or three days.

[weng]

Mine dry out within the hour.

I can't say if my lobiis enjoy drying out for more than two or three days, but I have had them for 8/10 years, watered between 1 - 5 days depending on the temperature (and my available time).

Weng

[IdahoOrchid]

I did not know that lobii was deciduous. Could someone please explain what to expect in this regard: when and how to care in this state? Mine currently has two leaves and has started to put out a new root or two since it came home with me a couple of weeks ago.

[CodiMN]

Sphrag and bag scares me...don't blame you for not wanting to do it again!
Can't remember where I got this, but this trick has helped a lot with my 'chids. (this is in addition to normal watering, misting, etc.)
Took a spray bottle and put some molases (!!!) and some of Jacks Bloom Booster (one capful) and water. The molases has extra potassium that my 'chids seem to really appreciate.
I mist my 'chids with this mix a few tims a week after normal H2O misting. Just an idea, I liked it because I had it in my kitchen already! Just make sure you empty out the spray bottle every once in a while...the mix can get gunky/moldy if you're not careful.

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[weng]

[QUOTE=IdahoOrchid;63298]I did not know that lobii was deciduous. Could someone please explain what to expect in this regard: when and how to care in this state?[QUOTE]

All my mounted phalaenopsis get the same treatment, with or without leaves - I carry on watering!

Weng

[Tindomul]

P. lobbii is describes as semi-decidous. So it does not have to loose the leaves. It will loose them as a response to consistent dry conditions while remaining healthy root wise. Dry is a relative term. I don't mean cactus conditions. I mean low humidity, fewer watering events, etc... I keep mine in my vivs. They do not loose their leaves.