Balloon leaf

[WhiteRabbit]

I know some other types of orchids get crimped new growth when they don't get enough water- but haven't seen anything like this on a Phal ... but, if roots were bad, I suppose that could be a possibility.

[vjo]

That is exactly what mine looks like! The balloon finally opened up enough that I could work the inner leaf out, it is a wrinkled mess and growing in the wrong direction but maybe will straighten out as it grows.The roots on mine are great with a great big red-purple growing tip. The balloon is still there and I still dont know quite what to do with it,it is so weird!
Thank you for the picture Loves Phals it was perfect...Jean

[LovePhals]

Interesting! I will email Hausermann and see what they say! Mine is no longer a pretty plant it looks like a deformed mess.

[vjo]

I looked at mine closer today and there are 2 more leaves in the balloon! It is just too weird! Please let me know what Hausermanns has to say and thanks again...Jean

[Leafmite]

It is better to call Hausermann's. They are very nice.

[vjo]

I called Hausermanns this AM and Andy (the guy I talked to) said he has seen that before, not on these plants but on others.He has A schillerania that does it all the time! He gave me a choice of another Surf Song or any other plant I wanted, just don't know what I want to do yet.I am sure he will do the same for you Loves Phals......Jean

[LovePhals]

Jean, how is your deformed surf song today? I broke off my odd looking growth on accident trying to look at it a few months back. I can see a normal looking leaf coming out from the center crown now with some broken pieces to the side. It still look a little funny.

[vjo]

I cut the odd looking thing off and inside of it 3 new healthy leaves were growing. It looked really odd for awhile but almost looks like a normal plant now....Jean

[LovePhals]

An update on mine...
My plant is now looking pretty normal. I knocked all my funny looking stuff off about 1 year ago and now I have 3 normal looking leaves that are fully grown. It does have a space between the old and new growth so you can tell it was damaged. I also have a spike, so I am looking forward to my plant flowering and I am glad I kept it as Surf song was always on my wish list. Hasuermann's also had great service as I thought I wanted to trash my plant they sent me (since it was so deformed- I tried to rehome it several times) but never found a home for the phal. They then sent me a vanda coerulea to replace it and I ended up keeping both. I am planning my next order from them as they have had such great service every time I order from them. I love my orange orchids. I will post pictures of my plant and blooms once they open on a new thread!
I hope yours is doing well and/or spiking also!

[vjo]

I ended up keeping mine also, cut off the really ugly leaf and the plant did fine for awhile. It grew 4 new leaves and looked pretty good, now suddenly the 3 leaves in the middle are getting limp I don't know what is going on with it but whatever it is it isn't good. Still trying tho.
I am glad to hears yours is doing so well and you have a spike! Doesn't get much better than that. And a vanda too...Very nice of them.....Jean