I know nothing part 2

[PJG]

I had to crop photo.



http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hp?photo=15650

Hi All,
I've been reading the posts, so "hello" to all the new people like me. And of course the older and more knowledgeable people.

I told my wife (respectfully) I have to go and talk to the "orchid people", We both get a kick out of it. So that's all I say now.

Anyway, the photo is of a Phal, that my wife received while in Hospital. We've had it now from early June. Obviously it was in bloom then.

As you can see (if you follow the flowers back, it's not easy)), the right flower spike (that's correct, yes/no) has turned brown and the flowers are slowly wilting.
The left spike is still green. The other branches are just decorative and to hold the spike in place.

So my question is what's next?
Is the plant dying?

Self edit: I forgot to say thank you. That's not nice.

Peter

[Junebug]

Hello Peter, and welcome to the Orchid Board. I'm one of the older, but not necessarily more knowledgeable members. I hope your wife is doing well after her stay in the hospital.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the flowers dropping. This plant may have very well been in bloom before you received it and it's probably finished with it's bloom cycle. When the flowers drop you may cut the spike about 1" from where it emerges from the plant, or allow the spike to turn brown and then remove it. My personal preference is to remove them right after or shortly before the last few flowers drop. This allows the plant to put forth energy into the development of new leafs and roots and eventually a new bloom spike.

Because the photo was taken at a distance it's difficult to tell anything about the health of the leaves or roots, or the cond. of the potting media. It does not appear that your plant is not potted in the proper type of container. Does the current vessel have a drainage hole in the bottom or is the plant growing in one pot that's been placed in another pot? It would be helpful if you could submit some close-ups so we can see.

There are a few important things that you should understand about watering a Phalaenopsis. They do not like to have their crown (where all the leaves come together at the center) to become wet (causes crown rot) and they should not have their roots submerged in soggy conditions (causes root rot). They should only be watered when they are dry. Many people check for moisture by placing their finger about 1" below the surface of the potting medium. If it's still moist then don't water. If it's dry, then water. A pot with adequate drainage (lots of holes) is very important. The holes allow for air circulation and without them the roots may suffocate and die.

One more thing I almost forgot to mention is their requirement for low lighting. They will sunburn if you place them in direct sunlight. Brief exposure to indirect, filtered sunlight is the way to go with these guys.

I hope this information was helpful and not too scary and don't forget the close-up photos. Close-ups help us help you.

[PJG]

Hi Junebug,
I took your advise and checked the decorative (dec') pot. It had a plastic pot(plant) inside a plastic pot inside the dec' pot without a hole. It fooled me because when I watered it the water drained. Except it was a tiny crack in the base of the pot.

It (phal) was/is very wet, it was covered in a moss and it was still wet from Wed' watering. I know because I wrote it into my computer calendar, "watered all orchids". LOL

The closeup was blurred but I think what I've shown might be enough. I have it sitting outside in the shade but getting natural light and temp. Hopefully it will dry a little quicker. The I guess I'll re-pot it.

If you or others tell me what you'd do next, I'll do it.

Thanks for your suggestion, (hail to the ones with the knowledge) hehehe

Peter

[Ross]

Peter, welcome to the "dark side" where we all start with just one and get talked into buying more

Keep the clear pot. That's your best friend. The roots and medium look very wet to me. I usually use a bark mix that allows lots of air to the roots. If you've ever transplanted a garden plant you know to exclude air from around the roots. Not true with Phalenopsis (your plant.) Your goal is to balance watering with drying out. You want to dry the mix to the point the roots turn whiteish and the mix looks dryish. Little beads of moisture are a good indication you will want to rewater by pouring water through the pot till it runs out the bottom. I don't like to keep my plants in a decorative container because I can't see what is going on with the roots and the medium stays wet too long leading to rot. Hope this helps.

[PJG]

Hi Ross,
I'll keep the clear pot, re-pot into it. I'll leave the phal outside in the shade and natural light and temp', until it's dry. I have bark so I'll use that.
Should I cut the right-brown spike back?
Then wait for the left spike to turn before cutting.

I think I'll keep the dec' pot and drill or hammer a hole into it.
Thank you also for your help, the people on this forum are very nice. Whether you into plants or not.

Peter

[Ross]

In answer (my opinion) is cut off any spike that has dropped all it's flowers. I actually cut the spikes just short of that when the last flower is starting to wilt. I prefer to let all the plant energy go into leaf production (that will be next season's new blossoms.) Yes you can drill holes in botom of the decor pot (I've done the same with all of mine) - seems like all the grocery store Phals come in these expensive pots anymore. Why not eliminate that pot and reduce the price - that's what I say!

Be careful drilling the pot. Use a carbide bit in a standard drill and fill pot with water (well at least an inch or so) then slow drill the holes. You'll know when you are through, cause all the water will leave! Plug that hole with clay and do the next one, till you have all the holes you want. Stick with 1/4" or less or you might shatter the pot. Good luck.

[PJG]

Hi Ross,
I drilled the decor pot (I'm ok with tools), checked the phal pot and it was mush. I then looked at the other clear pot and it didn't have a hole either.

I'm good with tools folks (just in case your not), so I took a knife, cut the base of the clear pot (a cross) in the center, then cut off the excess with some scissors to make a hole.

Then, making an executive decision, I cut the brown spike off, powdered it, cut the pot away from it's roots (it was stuck) then repotted the phal with bark in the clear pot, and put it back into the decor pot. Oh, it was going to sit further down and would have been hard to get out, so I placed a golfing wiffle ball in the pot for the clear pot to sit on and water to run through it.

Then I watered it, success.

Thanks,

Peter

[peggypugsmom]

Bravo Peter...The orchid bonding has begun!...Eileen

[Grandma M]

Peter, I love your pot. I'm glad that you were able to drill holes in it. That pot looks like a real treasure. I am a 'pot nut', (not a pot head) and inserting the plastic pot, with holes, within the decorative pot will make a perfect display.

I hope your wife is doing well.

Marilyn

[PJG]

Thank you Marilyn,

1. I'm pleased your NOT a pothead. lol
2. I'm hoping I can save it, at least it has a chance now.
3. I have a yellowing leaf, I think I'm going to lose.
& the big one
4. I read your post to my wife about about her doing well (which she is) and she said "that's so nice". So thank you and others who have mentioned the same.

Peter