Why would Phal leaves get smaller?

[Edew]

Those leaves are gorgeous! I'm a sucker for mottled leaf Phals. Do you know what the blooms look like?

[NewLeaf]

Originally Posted by Edew

Those leaves are gorgeous! I'm a sucker for mottled leaf Phals. Do you know what the blooms look like?

This was last year. You can see there was less white/ more green on the old leaves. I wonder if if the blooms would be more intense now the plant is happier.

Unfortunately that bathroom is right above the furnace so stays warm even at night. No temp drop so far equals no flowers. Like you I quite like the more mottled leaves so I’m not going to move it to induce blooming.

[Roberta]

Really nice! I wonder if it is Phal. stuartiana, the species. (Flowers, and the mottled leaves are characteristic) If not the species, maybe one generation away. Color won't be intense, but that spotting on the lateral sepals is wonderful.

[NewLeaf]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Really nice! I wonder if it is Phal. stuartiana, the species. (Flowers, and the mottled leaves are characteristic) If not the species, maybe one generation away. Color won't be intense, but that spotting on the lateral sepals is wonderful.

Wow certainly looks like it could be a parent.
Thanks for the hint I love looking into this stuff.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

This was last year. You can see there was less white/ more green on the old leaves. I wonder if if the blooms would be more intense now the plant is happier.

Unfortunately that bathroom is right above the furnace so stays warm even at night. No temp drop so far equals no flowers. Like you I quite like the more mottled leaves so I’m not going to move it to induce blooming.

Based on the flowers, I'd say that there is a high chance of it being schilleriana x stuartiana (Phal Wiganiae). It's quite common in mass production, and I see them in stores on a regular basis where I live. I've seen it sold as Phal Wiganiae, Phal Philadelphia (trade name) and Phal Schilleriano-Stuartiana.

If it is indeed what yours is, mine also started growing smaller and more intensely mottled leaves when I moved it to higher light, but not as small as yours. It seems to like that, I now get large branching spikes. The color and spotting of the blooms is also affected by light levels, at least on my plant. First photo is the blooms in lower light (similar looking to yours) and second is in higher light.

It's a shame to not have blooms on it. I don't think there would be any harm in moving it elsewhere for a month or so each fall to get a temp drop. The mottling on existing leaves takes a long time to fade in lower light, and at that season it's less likely that it'll have a new leaf growing.


Phal Wiganiae (grown in low light) by Camille, on Flickr


Phal Wiganiae (grown in high light) by Camille, on Flickr


Phal Wiganiae by Camille, on Flickr

[Edew]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Based on the flowers, I'd say that there is a high chance of it being schilleriana x stuartiana (Phal Wiganiae). It's quite common in mass production, and I see them in stores on a regular basis where I live. I've seen it sold as Phal Wiganiae, Phal Philadelphia (trade name) and Phal Schilleriano-Stuartiana.

If it is indeed what yours is, mine also started growing smaller and more intensely mottled leaves when I moved it to higher light, but not as small as yours. It seems to like that, I now get large branching spikes. The color and spotting of the blooms is also affected by light levels, at least on my plant. First photo is the blooms in lower light (similar looking to yours) and second is in higher light.

It's a shame to not have blooms on it. I don't think there would be any harm in moving it elsewhere for a month or so each fall to get a temp drop. The mottling on existing leaves takes a long time to fade in lower light, and at that season it's less likely that it'll have a new leaf growing.

As soon as I saw NewLeaf's photo of the blooms, I immediately thought of this orchid, camille1585! I've been hunting for it to no avail so far. But that is awesome you found it, NewLeaf!

I also have Phals that have grown smaller/shorter leaves in higher light and seem healthy otherwise (I made no severe changes, fertilize/water properly, growing new roots). And I also have some that went through a bit of trauma (repotting into media it didn't like) that produced smaller leaves, understandably.

I think if your plant seems happy/healthy, it might not be a huge concern. A bit of monitoring couldn't hurt. And I'm sure that is super easy to do because who wouldn't want to see those beautiful leaves every day

And I totally agree, smaller leaves means more space for more plants

[No-Pro-mwa]

These look good with or without blooms. So nice.

[NewLeaf]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Based on the flowers, I'd say that there is a high chance of it being schilleriana x stuartiana (Phal Wiganiae). It's quite common in mass production, and I see them in stores on a regular basis where I live. I've seen it sold as Phal Wiganiae, Phal Philadelphia (trade name) and Phal Schilleriano-Stuartiana.

If it is indeed what yours is, mine also started growing smaller and more intensely mottled leaves when I moved it to higher light, but not as small as yours. It seems to like that, I now get large branching spikes. The color and spotting of the blooms is also affected by light levels, at least on my plant. First photo is the blooms in lower light (similar looking to yours) and second is in higher light.

It's a shame to not have blooms on it. I don't think there would be any harm in moving it elsewhere for a month or so each fall to get a temp drop. The mottling on existing leaves takes a long time to fade in lower light, and at that season it's less likely that it'll have a new leaf growing.


Phal Wiganiae (grown in low light) by Camille, on Flickr


Phal Wiganiae (grown in high light) by Camille, on Flickr


Phal Wiganiae by Camille, on Flickr

Wow that looks exactly like the blooms! Bottom ones are definitely more intense. Very cool thanks for sharing that!

I might have to work it out next fall to see if I get a nice branching spike too. I enjoy seeing the leaves every day in the shower but blooms might be worth a short absence.

It just occurred to me I have a second bathroom right above the one it’s in with a window in the exact same place, less humidity but much cooler at night.
Might just be the perfect spot.

Thanks for the inspiration

---------- Post added at 08:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:00 PM ----------

Just did a google for Wiganiae and found one with tiny leaves the size mine reduced too.

https://goo.gl/images/J6UW2u

The photo came from a thread on rvorchidworks and it appears to be a healthy one showing leaves this tiny so I’m going to trust it’s a good thing like I assumed.


Kinda wish they would all shrink up so I’d have more room like Edew said

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by NewLeaf

Kinda wish they would all shrink up so I’d have more room like Edew said

Can you imagine, being about to fit 3 orchids in the space of one? I love phals, but the big ones are space hogs!