Phal tired of being beautiful? (wilting leaves)

[mtorchid]

This NOID Phal has been a vigorous bloomer since I got it about 2 yrs ago and repotted it in S/H about a year ago. In the last few weeks the leaves have started to get soft. No sign of rot, same media and environment, I am wondering if all the blooms put too much of a strain on the plant. (I'm going to cut off the bloom spike in the pic that is about over.) I have several Phals and haven't had this happen before. Any ideas?

[quiltergal]

You might need to water more often. When I was using S/H I found that my RH was so dry I had to water several times a week. The capillary action could not keep up with the evaporation. Consequently the top half of the pot was always too dry.

[mtorchid]

Thanks Terri, that would have been my guess too. I have been misting the top of the pellets on a regular basis (in addition to the regular waterings) for the reasons you mentioned, now that summer is here. For now, I'm going to separate it from its other Phal friends (also in s/h) and put it in a room where the RH is 60-70%. Maybe that will help. Orchid ER ;-)

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[JMNYC]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

You might need to water more often. When I was using S/H I found that my RH was so dry I had to water several times a week. The capillary action could not keep up with the evaporation. Consequently the top half of the pot was always too dry.

I agree. And this is the reason, over time, I came to use 3/4 bark mix, and the top (at least),1/4 NZ Sphagnum for any Phal in a pot bigger than 4".

[quiltergal]

The LECA used in semi hydro dries even faster than traditional media probably because the airflow inside the pot is so good. That's one reason I quit using it. I was looking for less work, not more!

[tarev]

Agree..needs more watering..I have a similar actively blooming mini Phal, though not in S/H, and with this summer conditions, just need to give a little more water. But I do run my ceiling fan a lot too, so all is well for the plant, spike continues to be laden with blooms.

[mtorchid]

Originally Posted by JMNYC

I agree. And this is the reason, over time, I came to use 3/4 bark mix, and the top (at least),1/4 NZ Sphagnum for any Phal in a pot bigger than 4".

I'm sure your technique works great but my other Phals in s/h clay pellets are very healthy. In fact, I have a Paphiopedilum Maudiae that has bloomed twice in the same medium type as the Phal, just that the water level in the reservoir is higher, it even has moss growing on the top of the clay pellets. I have a hunch there is something else going on here, but thanks for your advice!

---------- Post added at 06:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by tarev

Agree..needs more watering..I have a similar actively blooming mini Phal, though not in S/H, and with this summer conditions, just need to give a little more water. But I do run my ceiling fan a lot too, so all is well for the plant, spike continues to be laden with blooms.

Why would this phal bloom so prolifically if it was underwatered? I did mention that I mist the top pellets regularly to make up for the rapid evaporation in the summer, so I really do think it is getting enough H2O. A puzzler!

[tarev]

Maybe the moisture is enough for the blooms to stay but not to sustain the leaves especially when temps are just too warm already...who knows..either that or your lower leaf is just doing a natural senescence..eventually it will.