Hello

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by silken

You mentioned direct sun in one post.

" 1st 2 days I had on a sun porch during the day and brought in at night I noticed the big leaf's end turning gray and folding over on the third day and thought maybe a little too much direct sunlight and started to
keep inside. seems to be spreading and lost a small leaf from bottom tonight."

If it was still wrapped in plastic as well, it would be cooking in there. I think all you can do is cut off the damaged parts, treat the cut edges and hope for the best. Good luck.

Although I really don't want to, might I be better off trying to return my plant?
It was purchased from a chained retailer.

[silken]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

Although I really don't want to, might I be better off trying to return my plant?
It was purchased from a chained retailer.

If it was healthy looking when you got it, I would say leaving it wrapped in plastic for a few days in bright sun would have caused this. So not really the retailers fault. Heat from the sun can build up very quickly if there is no good way for it to escape. Orchids require good moving air and leaves should not be warm to the touch.

I would chalk it up to a valuable lesson in orchid growing (many of us have had some hard lessons). You could try and save it if you want or go and buy yourself another one.

[AJW]

Forgive the bluntness but someone who suggests watering a tropical plant with Ice cubes needs some sound advice from an Orchid Whisperer. I often wonder if that same person would put ice in a glass of Red wine? We have had the same issue down under and advise people to use the equivalent water of three or less ice cubes or egg cups. Most successful Phal's like being in a humid environment not in direct sunlight or high air movement areas. Once a Phal's leaf starts to deteriorate there seems to be no stopping it. Cut the infected area off and treat the open cut with a water base paint that may slow the process down enough giving the plant time to build up a resistance. I am sure there are plenty of alternative methods out there.

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by AJW

Forgive the bluntness but someone who suggests watering a tropical plant with Ice cubes needs some sound advice from an Orchid Whisperer. I often wonder if that same person would put ice in a glass of Red wine? We have had the same issue down under and advise people to use the equivalent water of three or less ice cubes or egg cups. Most successful Phal's like being in a humid environment not in direct sunlight or high air movement areas. Once a Phal's leaf starts to deteriorate there seems to be no stopping it. Cut the infected area off and treat the open cut with a water base paint that may slow the process down enough giving the plant time to build up a resistance. I am sure there are plenty of alternative methods out there.

wow, thank you for your time, my bad direct sunlight, growers bad - ice cubes?

[charlesf6]

what do I do now outside of getting that plastic sheath off and bringing it indoors?

[silken]

Is it a new one?? If so, remove the plastic sheath and place it out of direct light. When mine are in bloom they often get no real sunlight. Just ambient light wherever I put them to enjoy the blooms. It won't hurt them for a while. If the media looks chunky and the roots look good, you could leave it for now. Often they come in packed soaking wet moss and it is best to immediately re-pot in some well soaked bark or something else that allows air to the roots. Your other pictures looked like not too bad of potting media. Usually re-potting a Phal while in bloom, doesn't bother the blooms. The pot needs some good drain/air holes and should never sit in water. Flush it well with water and then let it get nearly dry but not completely before you water it again. This might be a week or 10 days - depends on your humidity and growing conditions. You can get a thin bamboo kebab sewer (usually at dollar stores in packs of 100) and place this down into the pot and leave it there. Pull it out when you think its time to water. See how wet or dry it is and use that as a judge if it is time. Place it back where it was so as not to keep stabbing roots in various spots. It is like a watering gauge and many people like this method to help them determine when its time to water. I put a skewer in most of my orchid pots. Sometimes the pot feels light and dry and it is still rather wet down at the bottom. When not enjoying blooms it can sit in a shaded windowsill or back from a brighter window. An East window with no direct light is good. Mine also do well on a table by a north facing window.

[charlesf6]

yes, new one



just brought home, keeping out of direct light.
not sure when to give 1st watering (no ice)
will monitor with shish-ka-bob sticks afterwards (nice idea)

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Sadly, I've seen this happen as well with orchids which come wrapped in plastic. I once bought two while a third later came to me as a gift. Now, I've been growing orchids since 1979 and so have handled a few in my days, but in each case these wrapped orchids developed soft, darkening leaves just like yours. I can only describe them as spongy and floppy. I never touched one with a bare hand but am certain that they have to have been slimy. I was personally unable to salvage any of them from what I suspect was a fungal infection caused by the utterly horrible condition of being wrapped in plastic, though I wish you better success!

Beyond that, anyone who sells a tropical orchid along with the advice to use ice for watering is essentially a [expletive deleted]. There's another thread here about ice and orchids in which I expressed my feelings on this method of madness, so suffice to say here that whomever came up with the idea is a sadistic ogre who delights in setting up new orchid buyers for utter failure.

Thanks! Certainly going to try more decisively to keep these leaves green if I can.

[silken]

Don't water till its approaching dryness. You will do fine with this one. I think leaving it in the bag in some sun was the problem for the first one. The ice just doesn't help and doesn't make sense but isn't likely what caused the leaves to go like that.

If the roots are green, they are wet. When a white or silvery color they are dry but make sure the centre of the pot is only damp or close to try before watering or root rot can occur.

[Tindomul]

Hi,

Welcome to the Orchid Board. Please take everyone's advice, no more direct sunlight for hours and hours. They only thing I can add, is that a good measure of how to know when to water the plant is by picking up the plant everyday in order to weigh it with your hand. It should get lighter everyday, until at some point you notice no difference. At that point you should water. As you gain practice, you can learn when the pot will be dry and you can water a day or two before it totally dries.