Multiple Issues

[knsrn]

So I'm finally working up the gumption to post pictures of my two (supposed) Phals that have been unfortunate enough to fall under my care.

I got them over a year ago for Mother's day and they did well with very little from me for a long time. The blooms faded (somehow I forgot to take pictures!) and a brief google search instructed me to cut the flower spikes. It wasn't until the leaves started wilting did I realize I would need to put in a little more effort. I researched and realized I needed to repot them, did so using Better Gro Phalaenopsis Orchid potting mix and a plastic container I poked holes in.

When I repotted them I followed multiple youtube videos instructions of removing dead roots (completely dry, papery, falling off).

I had them in a Southern facing window with diffused light through a Crepe Myrtle planted in front of it and watered them only when the roots appeared dry. I wasn't using fertilizer initially, but have recently started using a very weak mixture of Better-Gro (it's the only thing in our super store!) Orchid Plus 20-14-13 in the watering.

A few months ago, a few weeks after repotting them, I noticed a small brown spot on one of the leaves and a brownish tinge overall on one of them. I repositioned it thinking maybe too much light? Kept the watering routine up and then increased watering when the same plant's leaves started looking very wilty and leathery.

Around this time life got very hectic and I couldn't focus very much on the plants, so I moved them outside one day thinking maybe they were too cold and dry inside. They were on the back porch, under the overhang, in indirect light and out of the way of rain (but right by the splash zone when it did rain). They seemed to thrive there! They both grew another spike and flowered (again, didn't take pictures because of life)!

I thought I just lucked out and got the two orchids in the world that *didn't* want human attention and enjoyed them for awhile. Then I looked closer at them one day and got really nervous.

On the first plant, Plant 1, the sicker one (IMO): The brown spot on one of the leaves had actually gotten worse, the leaf even more leathery and limp feeling, and I was thinking that it hadn't been getting enough water but when I re-potted it I found almost all the roots rotten and dead! Too much water? Or originally too much water and now not enough water because the roots are all dead? I ended up cutting off most of the roots on this plant and literally had one only 2 inches long and one 1 inch left. It is also trying to grow a new leaf but has a brownish cast to it.

The second plant, Plant 2: At first looked alright, the roots looked okay when I repotted, but I found indentions? or some type of lesion on the underside of the leaf? And some tiny white, immovable bumps? Also, one of the leaves started splitting at the point.

I debated about cutting off the damaged/afflicted leaves, but worried about cutting off too much of their photosynthesis ability (especially since I wanted to bring them back inside). I watched the spots and they haven't gotten bigger to my estimation.

I brought them inside after repotting them in actual orchid pots and the same medium thinking maybe bugs or bacteria reached them outside? Put them in my Eastern window and kept up with my watering when roots are dry routine (now with a very weak fertilizer). I think they have stabilized, but they don't look very healthy.

I still feel like it's very dry in here so I've ordered an Ikea Socker greenhouse just to help increase the humidity (maybe that's what they liked about being outside? It's FL).

If you can identify the ailment based on the pictures that would be awesome, but I know that may not be possible. Just some good tips of increasing their chances and overall health would be appreciated.

Apologies for how long this is and if the pictures are huge- still learning the best way to post photos.

[Ray]

One significant “trick” to orchid growing is balancing the air and water at the roots.

Orchids do a good deal of their gas exchange processes through the roots, rather than leaves. If the potting medium is too fine, whether that be small particles or because it has decomposed, water can be held in between the particles, cutting off the airflow to the roots, which suffocates and kills them.

If the potting medium is coarse enough, that won’t happen.

Most bark-based media don’t hold water well, right out of the package. Try running water through the pots to really wet it, then wait 15 minutes or so before repeating that. The bark will “open up” after the first dose, allowing it to absorb more.

It’s hard to diagnose issues from photos, but that first photo looks like sunburn, and the others look like past mechanical or fungal damage. I think you were right to not remove any leaves - if it’s still green, it’s still contributing to the plant.

[knsrn]

Would you say the leathery, wilted looking leaves are just damaged long term and I shouldn't use them to judge watering?

Everything I'm reading says leathery, limp/wilted leaves equals dehydration, but these don't seem to change no matter how much water they get.

[estación seca]

I think they look like they are growing well now, and you are taking good care of them. Severely wilted leaves often don't recover, but can continue photosynthesizing. I agree the leaf spots are old sun or scraping damage and should not be removed.

I don't remove any roots unless they're slimy and dark. I can't be certain which dry roots are dead, so I almost never remove roots at repotting. Other people do. I also leave bloom stalks until they dry up and turn brown. They are photosynthesizing and making food for the plant. Phal stalks may grow more and bloom again.

They will absolutely love being outdoors in full shade in Florida. If I lived there I would definitely put them outside most of the year except on cold winter nights.