wavy phal leaf
 

Hi,
My phal hasn't had this wavy leaf until fairly recently, so it makes me wonder if there's something I need to change about it's growing conditions or maybe this is just normal sometimes?? It seems to really like where it is sitting now.....under a table lamp with 2 lights...1 fluorescent (13 watt, I think) and 1 60 watt plant bulb. Water whenever it begins to seem dry (approx ea wk.)...about 50-55% humidity...room temp about 75 degrees.

I would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Vicki

Does it get any natural light? I don't think the lights you mention would provide enough for a healthy plant (and healthy I mean flowering regularly). I'm certainly no expert though.

I think it's a nutrient deficiency. Maybe phosphorous, don't remember.

its prolly genetics habit of sometimes growing like that. kinda like onc. sharry baby... it has a habit that causes leaf spotting... and its inevitable.... its just born to have freckles! LOL!

I don't know about the leaf, but in my experience 11 Watt of fluorescent light with natural day light during the winter (very short dark days here) was way to much for my Phal's.
If the 13 Watt is close enough to the plant and the light is on for 14-16 hours a day, I think this should be enough lighting. BTW what color temperature is that lamp?

Pilot
 

Hi!
If by natural light you mean sunlight...no, it doesn't. I
agree with you about flowering. I've have a few other plants inside that have never flowered (except a den which is in spike now, but this one seems to be an exception). I know that the reason they haven't bloomed is because of lack of natural light, but I'm resolved with that because I enjoy the plant alone inside, if it is healthy, that is. Otherwise, it goes to my orchid room for "rehab" lol.

Thanks for your reply,
Vicki

King_of_orchid_growing
 

Hi King!
I'm fertilizing with Ray's fertilizer for pure water (reading from the label, it says 3-0.75-4-2Ca-0.5Mg) with distilled water. The fertilizer directions recomm. 3-4 teas per gallon. I may have not been using enough because I have sometimes found myself mixing less than 3 teas., to my water (for some unknown reason lol) for my non-blooming inside plants but I have tried to remember to go back and add the additional when I realize I have slipped up.
Thanks for your advice,
Vicki

frostedeyes
 

Hi!
My phal is a noid (from Lowes), so I have no idea about it's genetics. The plant seems to be very healthy and happy where it is, so you may have put your finger right on the reason.
Thanks for your help,
Vicki

Blueszz
 

Hi!
That's another good thought for me to consider.....too much light for too long, because it does indeed get light from both bulbs about 12 hrs. ea. day. As for color, I have understood that the fluorescent I'm using lacks a color that the plant bulb has....I can't remember the color, though. ??
Thanks for your advice,
Vicki

frostedeyes
 

Oops, I made a mistake! I just realized that I had put a label down inside the pot when I repotted it from Lowes, so I looked at it and it says "DO371 P. Diamond BeautyxP.(Sara Kee-Fortune Buddha). I don't know how to read labels, but I wanted you to know I made a mistake because I'm guessing you know how.
Vicki

How long ago did you repot this plant? Cuz I have 3 phals that are doing the same thing right now! And I just repotted mine...
I'm definitely interested in what everyone has to say on this....

~Kevin

Most of the times you can find the color of fluorescent light on the tube/bulb. Mine is 4000K, a bit too low as I understood but it served well in combination with indirect day light. What I've understood, the whiter the light, the more blue it has. The other bulb is to ad some red?
Anyway, I think when it's getting too much light to be good, you would see that on the color of leaves/roots/spikes. I've some Phal's that turn reddish even in a North faced window this time of the year. Others always show reddish pigments, these are plants with pink/purple flowers or shades of purple in the flower.
I also noticed some Phal's can take much more light than others... so if the color of your plants looks good to you, I guess the amount of light is good - but I can't speak for the color of the light. I've read that an average of 5400 K is OK for Phal's to grow and bloom.

Bulbophile
 

Hi Kevin!
I can't remember exactly how long ago I repotted it. I bought the orchid at Lowes (I'm gonna guess approx. 2 mo. ago ??) and repotted it as soon as I got home.....I always do. Hopefully, we'll figure out what's going on.
Vicki

I have read the wavy leaf thing is caused by fast growth , also another reason a period of dry which slows down growth then a spurt of growth when watered , I have noticed the species Phals. are more prone to it then others .. Gin

Hi Gin,
that's very interesting. I have a Phal with half way the leaf, a wave. I think this were the growth stunted during winter, when I water at a minimum to avoid rot (cold nights, not much light).

Nicole

Blueszz
 

Hi!
I know almost nothing about color spectrum, but as I read your reply it seemed to come back to me that indeed the purpose of the plant light is to add red that the fluorescent doesn't have. I think each bulbs light must complement each other, I guess you would say. ??

The color of my phal looks very good, so maybe I have nothing to be concerned about.

Thanks again for your help,
Vicki

Gin
 

Hi Gin!
That is certainly what this phal has done since I've had it....grow fast! Nice plump new roots, healthy new growth, absolutely no cell collapse....it has gone beserk....put on a growing show. lol (Knock on wood. It would be my luck that the next time I go check it I find floppy leaves. lol I sure hope not!!)

My watering routine has not changed from one season to the next, so that's not a consideration as far as this phal is concerned. I'm putting my money very possibly on fast growth.
Thank you for your help,
Vicki

Did the leaf become wavy as it grew, or grew normally and then got wavy after fully growing? If it's the first case, I'm agreeing with the growth spurt/ dry period theory. Otherwise, I'm not too sure what's going on. My phals used to be underlit, then overlit (55W power compact), and I never saw anything like yours!

camille
 

Hi Camille!
I didn't think the leaf began to get wavy until recently, but I'm beginning to wonder if it might have been getting wavy for quite sometime, and maybe I didn't notice it until it became more obvious. ??? Not sure....just a theory. I usually baby my orchids (most likely too much) and check them daily, but this one might have gotten past me. ??? Anyway, bottom line, I don't know if the answer to your question is the first or second case. :dunno:

Thanks for your reply. If you have a brainstorm, please let me know.
Vicki