New member from Chicago

[josterha]

Hello Everyone,

I am brand new to the orchidboard site . My name is John and I have just started collecting orchids, in earnest. Previously I would buy a plant (in spike or bloom), but because I have only north-facing windows in cloudy Chicago, I have never been able to get the plants to re-bloom. Eventually, the plants would die, or go for years without reblooming. But, I have just constructed a light table and got some humidity trays, and am now serious about maintaining a collection.

In my previous attempts at keeping phals, I sometimes get a problem that I call "leather leaf". The leaves that, in healthy plants, are firm and erect begin to droop and become less firm and also get leathery or slightly wrinkly. I have looked in several booked for this problem, but have not been able to find it addressed. I don't know if I am over-watering or under, or if the light is too low. If anyone could offer advice I would really appreciate it.

Thanks a lot,

John (in snowy Chicago)

[tuvoc]

Hi John, and welcome to OB. The leaf problem you describe sounds like drying out due to low humidity, or root problems. Check your plants potting mix for decomposition, which can lead to root loss quite quickly. Repotting will usually help solve the problem. If you can, post a couple of pics so we can get a better idea. Hope this helps a bit.

Kim

[jim blanford]

Hi John....Welcome to the OB. I know what you mean about the weather. You'll enjoy it here. Jim.

[Mahon]

John,

Welcome! You'll eventually get re-blooming those orchids! Have you tried your luck with a terrarium? Seems to be a trend up here

Strange snow we've been having these past 7 days... I'm currently stationed at NSTC (Naval Base), and have been trying to grow a few orchids on the windowsill (that also faces north!), and it's quite difficult!

Good luck, and look forward to hearing your orchidaceous success!

-Pat

[justatypn]

Aboard John, great that you have joined the best orchid community. So much to learn hear.

It sounds to me that your phal is not getting enough water. I think we all have experienced this common condition with our phalaenopsis. If you look at your rooting system and the roots are not whitish with nice greenish tips, but look brown and dried cut them off with sterile scissors. I like to use a root stimulant like "root-tone" and use fresh medium. Place the plant in a quiet place with lower than normal lighting, water well to dissolve the stimulant and ease off the watering for about 2 weeks. Find a watering regimen that is good for the orchid and begin to bring it back.

Be patient phals are pretty forgiving

[josterha]

Thanks to everyone for the welcome! I am really looking forward to learning a lot from all of you and sharing in my success stories (hopefully!). I'm not shy about asking questions, so you may see some pretty dumb questions coming from this noob!

[gmdiaz]

You can tell a lot about the health of a Phal by taking it out of the pot and looking at the roots.

What you describe could be too low light, too low humidity and/or root problems. . .like roots too dry or roots that are rotten.

You may well have to grow them under lights. . .or with a combination of lights and bright indirect sunlight from a window. They like good air circulation and to be watered every four or five days. . .depending on your local conditions. I drench water the pot and let it drain well before setting back into its place. Don't let them sit in water.

Post pics and we can help you more specifically! Phals are not difficult to grow but are a challenge at first until you get a feel for what they need. You'll be reblooming in no time, with the gang here to back you up.

Let us know how we can help! And welcome!

[josterha]

[QUOTE=justatypn;93262]
It sounds to me that your phal is not getting enough water. I think we all have experienced this common condition with our phalaenopsis. If you look at your rooting system and the roots are not whitish with nice greenish tips, but look brown and dried cut them off with sterile scissors. I like to use a root stimulant like "root-tone" and use fresh medium. Place the plant in a quiet place with lower than normal lighting, water well to dissolve the stimulant and ease off the watering for about 2 weeks. Find a watering regimen that is good for the orchid and begin to bring it back.
QUOTE]

Hi Cheryl, and thanks for the advice! I took my first shot at repotting a plant today. It was a supermarket phal (unidentified variety). I noticed right away when I bought the plant that the medium looked too "terrestrial" for phals. Now that I have new resolve in caring for my orchids, I decided to take the plunge and save this plant. The display pot seemed to be holding too much water and in that heavy potting mixture, the roots could not have been getting enough air. Sure enough, there were a lot of dead roots, but thankfully no mold or fungus. I used my sterilized scissors to cut off anything that looked suspect. I then filled a new, larger pot a quarter of the way with marbles and then with fresh sphag. The plant was still in bloom (I have read that you shouldn't repot while plants are in bloom, but I sensed that I would lose the plant if I did not). I gave it a light fertilizer with the watering and it looks happy (for now). QUESTIONS:

1) Should I put the plant in a lower-light area now (maybe my north-facing window sill)?

2) Should I follow the above advice and be light on the watering for a while? for how long?

Thanks so much for your advice!

- John