Phalaenopsis with dull leaves

[wasillisaw]

Hi.

In january I've bought myself a baby phalaenopsis, and ever since I took really good care of it (it even developed some algae, which I've removed with hydrogen peroxide 1,5% after watching some tutorials). I mist it with water everyday, just like my other orchids. It looked very happy, but after a few months I noticed some white fungi stuff appearence on the potting medium, so I've decided to repot it with new potting mix and a fresh pot. I have cleaned the roots with hydrogen peroxide and washed them throughly with water.

Everything seemed okay for about a month, but now I have noticed that its leaves started to feel like leather, and they're dull. There's also a subtle discoloration to the leaves, but they're not wilting.
I water it every 7-9 days, and the pot I'm using is very well ventillated. The roots look completely fine, they are green and growing.

Still, I'm really worried about it and I have no idea what might be going on. I've did some research, but after a lot of digging the only thing I've learned is that the watering may be insufficient or it may be overwatered.
Unfortunately thats not the case, because I pay a lot of attention to the watering and my other orchids are thriving.

Im adding two pictures of it, so you can see for yourself.
It's a little wet because I sprayed it with water few minutes ago.

I need your opinions guys, please help me save her

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

It's not getting enough water. In large bark a Phal. might need water several times a week.

Misting doesn't help. Orchids take up water through roots.

Hydrogen peroxide may kill roots. I never use it on roots. Algal growth is not a problem for orchids. It may indicate too much fertilizer use.

Have a look at a thread here. From the left yellow menu click Forums then Beginners. Near the top is the sticky thread The Phal. abuse stops here. You'll get most of the information in the first few pages.

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[wasillisaw]

Thank you so much for help! I didn't knew that large bark has to be watered more often, you literally saved me.
Do you think soaking an orchid in water for 10 minutes is a good solution? Or should I just water it more often?

[rbarata]

Water more oftem is the ideal solution. If you want to soak it overnight would't do any harm.

[Dimples]

In large bark you’d still need to soak it frequently, especially if it’s warm or dry. A good soak once a week to help the bark absorb a little water wouldn’t be a bad idea, but soaking isn’t going to replace the need for frequent watering in that mix. Inverting a plastic bag or a little plastic container over the top can help boost the humidity around the plant and slow transpiration.

[Roberta]

More frequent watering has additional benefits beyond hydration (the obvious one) If you run water through the pot (like holding it under the faucet ) you also flush out any buildup of fertilizer sales and hard water minerals (Phals don't need RO water), flush any other "junk", and pull fresh, moist air into the root zone. Since Phals (and most orchids) really want "humid air" rather than "wet" in the roots zone, that last benefit is particularly helpful.

With that open mix, you really can't overwater - especially if the weather is warm, you could water every day.

[Dalachin]

I second everything everyone has said here, this is a really good source of information. My orchid culture has improved a lot since I started following this Board.

[rbarata]

Also, as additional info, new bark is hydrophobic. It takes some time, usually a few months, until it starts to absorb water properly. Conclusion: watering frequency should be higher with new bark mixes.

[katsucats]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Also, as additional info, new bark is hydrophobic. It takes some time, usually a few months, until it starts to absorb water properly. Conclusion: watering frequency should be higher with new bark mixes.

That's one reason I don't like bark since I don't have the experience to tell how I should prepare it. Sometimes I'm surprised that the bark is too dry beneath the surface. Other times they appear more broken down and consistently moist than I would have expected.

[Ray]

Based upon the fact that the plant is fine and roots are growing, I speculate this isn’t a watering issue at all but is due to water hardness.

Was the white “fungus” like a layer on the medium surface? If so, that may have been calcium carbonate, not a living entity.

Orchid grown with pure water and a little fertilizer have much glossier leaves than do those watered with hard water. I’m not referring to “water spots” from wetting them, but a biological reaction to it.

As far as I am aware, it is only an appearance issue.