phalaenopsis leaves stop growing

[julianeve]

Hi guys ...

So during winter I moved my phalaenopsis to another window where there was no central heating right under it. The window is on the same side of the house, literally just like 10 metres or 30 feet to the right.

(I have had them there previously and they were super happy in both places.)

Suddenly quite a few of them seem to have issues that I cannot identify and don't know what to do. The room is no different than before, the weather also, I have always had impeccable orchids, nothing was wrong. Suddenly a few started this thing where they grow a leaf and it is either really strange (and maybe diseased?). As per advice of fellow orchid lovers, including you here, I would cut the leaf that was unwell and wait for a new one. Which happened but they either grow smaller and shorter and start growing another one immediately or they start drying up and growing a new one. Two instances in the photos.

Anyone have any idea what this is, what to do, how to treat it, is it possible?

[tmoney]

when did you last repot and look at the roots? that plant be strugglin for sure....sorry the media looks like it's seen better days, and i would start there probly yesterday!

[julianeve]

It hasn't been long, in fact about six months I think. And the photo is not doing justice to the media. The roots are all fine and strong ...

[Ray]

Could that be mite damage?

[Dimples]

I was going to suggest mite damage too. They often concentrate around growth points.

[estación seca]

It hasn't been getting enough water for a long time. The leaves have linear wrinkles. I agree there may be mites. I would spray the plants with dish soap 5ml in 1 liter of water to kill mites.

[tmoney]

wierd, if you just repotted then i guess i would go with mites which seems to be the previling theory!

but, we had a small outbreak of red mites last fall, and the crown of one plant was completely enveloped in webbing and visible mites crawling all over the thing (in less than a week). after treating (with soap spray like es mentioned) the plant only has one small visible sign of the attack. what im saying is, if this was mite damage on this scale i feel like the mites would have been totally obvious. how often do you look at your plants? did you leave them unnattended for a month?

and i also keyed on the wrinkly leaves, so it looks dehydrated. but if you just repotted....i dunno, maybe a combo of mites, movement, and root loss at repotting????

well, best of luck with this mystery!

[julianeve]

Thank you to everyone. I have decided to try with the soap spray. I have no idea what else it could be. I do make sure they get water regularly and check roots every time. Did that yesterday again, tons of beautiful roots, truly beautiful.

It makes me upset ... This orchid that is referred as not getting enough water has been like this for years. No matter what I do, the leaves never get better. A local flower expert said perhaps it might never change them.
Anyway, thank you, hopefully it will work.

[tmoney]

Originally Posted by julianeve

Thank you to everyone. I have decided to try with the soap spray. I have no idea what else it could be. I do make sure they get water regularly and check roots every time. Did that yesterday again, tons of beautiful roots, truly beautiful.

It makes me upset ... This orchid that is referred as not getting enough water has been like this for years. No matter what I do, the leaves never get better. A local flower expert said perhaps it might never change them.
Anyway, thank you, hopefully it will work.

best of luck! if the plant has been that way for quite some time i personally am not so optimistic about a soap spray being the magic bullet that brings it back to life. perhaps prepare yourself mentally that a prized plant may be on the way out.

[julianeve]

Yes, the leaves have been shrivelled for a while but not this stunted growth of them. Despite the shrivelled leaves (which were like this when I got the plant) it often bloomed and seemed otherwise quite happy.
Will report if I can figure anything out. Thanks again!