Phalaenopsis new growth dying

[cb977]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Look, I don't mean to be an @$$, but there seriously needs to be growing info in your posts. I'm at least glad to know that you listened to part of my reply to your first post about the pictures.

These plants that you're asking about, a lot of people in the hobby have them.

In fact many people on the OB have plants that you may never have even heard of before.

There aren't a lot of secrets when it comes to growing Phals, Miltoniopsis, or Masdevallias. It's not a big deal either.

Whatever information you get here, is what you'll get elsewhere, and it's what helped each grower succeed.

So keep in mind that you MUST put details in your post.

With that in mind, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOUR PHAL WITHOUT INFO ON HOW YOU'RE CULTURING THEM AND THE CONDITIONS THEY'RE GROWING IN.

Reread the post on the Miltoniopsis and really process the analogy I made with the vet and the dude with the frog.

Let it sink in that YOU'RE NOT PROVIDING ENOUGH INFO FOR ANYONE HERE TO GIVE YOU AN INTELLIGENT ANSWER!!!

No...no...no...no...no!

We DO NOT speak to each other like that on OB.

Doesn't matter what your reasoning is...
there is NEVER a reason to be that rude!
Especially to a new member of our community!

I suggest 10 deep breaths and a re-read of what you've typed BEFORE you hit "Submit"

[mseifertmd]

The media I am using is Aussie Gold Orchid Mix, Diatomite Formula. The media stays moist to touch in the 2 weeks. Should I water more often?

[bellini girl]

Another great suggestion often given here on OB that I personally try, is to take the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. Usually that is a key to what may be wrong with the plant. If the roots aren't in good condition, they usually cannot take up any nutrition

[RosieC]

If it is sitll moist after two weeks I would start looking the other direction.

Maybe your plants are dehydrating because they are being kept too wet and then the roots have rotted.

Usually I would expect that if the medium is not drying completely in two weeks then it is not drying fast enough to avoid rot.

Have you taken a look at the roots? what condition are they in?

[mseifertmd]

The roots looked fine when we transplanted it in the spring. I will take another look and see if that has changed. The plant has two sides (sprouts or ?) to it. The other side's new growth is doing fine.

[RosieC]

I would advise taking another look. If it has been kept too wet in that time it could have caused a problem. The leaves do look very wrinkled like they have been too dry (which is often lack of roots rather than underwatering).

[mseifertmd]

Thank you all for your suggestions! :-)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Originally Posted by bellini girl

Another great suggestion often given here on OB that I personally try, is to take the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. Usually that is a key to what may be wrong with the plant. If the roots aren't in good condition, they usually cannot take up any nutrition

This suggestion is a good one. Particularly if the problems being experienced are recent. There's nothing wrong with checking the roots again to see if things have changed since the time you repotted.

Originally Posted by RosieC

If it is sitll moist after two weeks I would start looking the other direction.

Maybe your plants are dehydrating because they are being kept too wet and then the roots have rotted.

Usually I would expect that if the medium is not drying completely in two weeks then it is not drying fast enough to avoid rot.

Have you taken a look at the roots? what condition are they in?

Rosie took the words out of my mouth.

I've used Aussie Gold before. I still do for certain plants such as Oeceoclades calcarata because this species likes water.

Aussie Gold retains a lot of moisture. I mean a lot. You could take a cup of water, and a good portion of that water will be absorbed by the media.

Another thing with Aussie Gold is that if there's too much coconut coir in the media, it could suffocate the roots on your plant by not providing enough air circulation and by retaining too much moisture.

If I may, I'd suggest using a large grade bark medium instead. And if there isn't enough moisture, use a thin dressing of moss over the bark.

FYI, the roots on many orchids, Phalaenopsis included are photosynthetic. Another good suggestion others have made include using a clear plastic pot.

1. It allows photosynthesis to happen in the roots.

2. You can see what's going on.

Other methods of growing a Phalaenopsis that you may want to look into in the future is mounting them onto wood or using semi-hydroponics.

You can use still use the Aussie Gold when using the semi-hydroponic method, but I'd remove the coconut coir and just use the diatomite.

Other than that, I can't speak too much about the semi-hydroponics method, because I don't use it. There is a section here on the OB where you can read up on it and post questions there.

As for mounting the Phals, that's how I grow all my Phals.

The advantage of mounting is that there is control over how much water the plants receive, and they get to photosynthesize in their roots.

A disadvantage is how often you have to water them.

If you want to mount your Phals in the future, there's also a place on the OB where you get to read up about it and post questions. Just scroll down and you'll find it on the forum listings page.

Hope this isn't too much info in one go. Whatever you choose, I wish you and your plant the best.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by mseifertmd

The media I am using is Aussie Gold Orchid Mix, Diatomite Formula. The media stays moist to touch in the 2 weeks. Should I water more often?

I tried using Aussie Gold when I first started collecting orchids and was very disappointed in it. Within 2 weeks, I noticed all the plants with the A.G. in their pots were looking badly. When I checked the roots, they were all on their way to becoming mush.
I immediately got rid of the A.G. and repotted them in what I prefer which is LECA.

Check your roots

[cb977]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

This suggestion is a good one. Particularly if the problems being experienced are recent. There's nothing wrong with checking the roots again to see if things have changed since the time you repotted.



Rosie took the words out of my mouth.

I've used Aussie Gold before. I still do for certain plants such as Oeceoclades calcarata because this species likes water.

Aussie Gold retains a lot of moisture. I mean a lot. You could take a cup of water, and a good portion of that water will be absorbed by the media.

Another thing with Aussie Gold is that if there's too much coconut coir in the media, it could suffocate the roots on your plant by not providing enough air circulation and by retaining too much moisture.

If I may, I'd suggest using a large grade bark medium instead. And if there isn't enough moisture, use a thin dressing of moss over the bark.

FYI, the roots on many orchids, Phalaenopsis included are photosynthetic. Another good suggestion others have made include using a clear plastic pot.

1. It allows photosynthesis to happen in the roots.

2. You can see what's going on.

Other methods of growing a Phalaenopsis that you may want to look into in the future is mounting them onto wood or using semi-hydroponics.

You can use still use the Aussie Gold when using the semi-hydroponic method, but I'd remove the coconut coir and just use the diatomite.

Other than that, I can't speak too much about the semi-hydroponics method, because I don't use it. There is a section here on the OB where you can read up on it and post questions there.

As for mounting the Phals, that's how I grow all my Phals.

The advantage of mounting is that there is control over how much water the plants receive, and they get to photosynthesize in their roots.

A disadvantage is how often you have to water them.

If you want to mount your Phals in the future, there's also a place on the OB where you get to read up about it and post questions. Just scroll down and you'll find it on the forum listings page.

Hope this isn't too much info in one go. Whatever you choose, I wish you and your plant the best.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have.

Thank you