Phalaenopsis with problems - Orchid Board

Jaak · #1 02-04-2011, 08:08 AM

What is hapening?...

First of we where on vacation when we returned we found that the person who took care of our plants and cats had overwatered them.
They where in 3 cm of water.

Air is dry 35 to 40% humidity
.
Some have been repotted and some (not shown here) are not affected.

These symptoms are now apearing few months later...

camille1585 · #2 02-04-2011, 08:50 AM

I doubt that the symptoms are a direct effect of the overwatering if they appeared months after the fact. And I don't think that these are symptoms of over watering. With overwatering, you would get dead roots, which would lead to soft, wrinkled and droopy leaves. Your phals look a little dehydrated (the veins stick out), but otherwise not in bad shape water wise.

What are your growing conditions for these plants? Was there anything that had changed before the symptoms appeared?

Also, as a completely unrelated comment, I noticed that you made an individual thread for each afflicted plant (milt, cambria, phal...) Since there problems may be caused by related things, it would have been easier for you to group them all in one thread, so we can see the big picture. It's fine like this too, but just harder to make links. Just telling you this for whenever you post again in the future...

Jaak · #3 02-04-2011, 09:06 AM

Hi Camille,

Thank you for the advice.

General growing conditions room temperature 20c in evening may drop to 18c max.
Ocasionaly spray leaves +- 4 times a week with watermist.

They get the morning sunlight,
no real change in any of the conditions they have been standing thee for over a year.

I have a similar issue with a brand new blooming Phalaenopsis..but it has 3 symptons.
Just have it for a week..

1 weak sloppy leaves
2 Veins showing on leaves
3 flowers are starting to hang

camille1585 · #4 02-04-2011, 09:19 AM

Be careful about misting the leaves, it can lead to problems like you are seeing, especially if it's done late in the day (the plant goes to bed wet). Don't think it's light related, morning light is fine and at this time of year it's not so strong, so low sunburn risk.

I'm guessing that those leaves have some sort of bacterial infection going on, but other than that, I don't think that I can give you much more advice. But some of those damaged leaves (like the first pic) look like they got cold damage, but if the temperature is at 18-20°C, then that can't be it.

The Phals in the new photos are very badly dehydrated. I don't think the droopy blooms will perk up again. Either they're not getting enough water, or the roots are rotted. The visible roots and medium look quite dry, so I'm leaning for the first option. The only way to be sure is to have a look at the roots in the pot. If they're still alive, the plants just need some more water, and good long (1h even) soaks in the beginning would help. If the problem is rot related, then we can deal with that later.

Jaak · #5 02-04-2011, 12:02 PM

Camille,

I did mist them later in the evening/night.
Would be great to know what i need to do about the ones shown in the first pictures.

I already re-potted them this week.

Gave the new ones a good bath hope it helps,
will tell how it goes.