3 leaves left small phal

[estación seca]

Go to Forums, Beginners, look near the top for The Phal abuse stops here.

[Celtic100]

Will do, Thanks.

[aliceinwl]

I would also recommend checking out the sticky in the beginner forum about watering with skewers. These can be a useful ckeck on the impulse to overwater. If you do still have a tendency to overwater a switch to a bark based rather than moss based substrate could help too.

[Celtic100]

I have never had luck with phals. I have grown catts without too much problem and had reblooms. With all orchids, I use skewers to test for saturation and only water when skewer feels dry. Typically I use a tablespoon to water - about 3 every few days-(this being a mini). It sits in an east window so gets a little morning sun and is behind an opaque window curtain ...right now it's in a mix of sphagnum and bark. The little shoot keeps on growing! Thanks very much.

[Roberta]

A tablespoon of water is not sufficient. Water so that it runs through the pot - which also flushes out buildup of fertilizer, and pulls air into the root zone. (Under the faucet is fine... let it drain into the sink) That goes for all of the orchids. Catts need to dry out more between waterings than Phals do but also need that fresh air around the roots.

[Celtic100]

Actually it's 3 tablespoons - I mis-typed I guess. I have only watered that way to avoid over watering. since the plant developed sad leaves and looked to be on its way out, I thought it was due to over watering. I like the technique you mention and may go back to it. Hard to get it right for me! Thanks for your thoughts.

[Roberta]

You can't water these too much - flood, then drain. You CAN water them too often (so that they stay soggy in the middle of the pot) So that's difference... water well, then let it get almost (but not completely) dry before repeating. That gives them what they REALLY want which is moist air in contact with their roots.

[Celtic100]

Makes perfect sense. Not too often. I do check with a skewer for moisture -- will follow your advice re; watering. Thanks.