Phal leaves falling off
 

I bought a Phal about 6 months ago and it bloomed for weeks. I pollinated one of the flowers and it began to grow. The seed pod is about 2 months old, and the plant started to die. All the leaves fell off one by one, but the roots were still healthy.

Did I put to much stress on the plant by pollinating it? I have cut off the spike and I am going to see what happens. Is there any special treatment that I should give it?

Thanks.

I just noticed that this post is in the wrong area. How do I move it?

I don't think that one pod caused so much stress..... What part of the leaves the yellowing began at? It might be a rot inside the plant.

I'm thinking this is a bit more complex than first appears. If you just purchased it (6 months is NOT a long time ago) then it was probably going through the stresses of getting acclimated to your growing conditions. It was probably in bloom then (you pollinated it, so I suspect it was already in bloom), and then you placed a real burden on it. My first question is why? Phals are sooooo easy to keep in spike for long periods of time. If you wanted more of this particular cross, then fine, but I would have waited till it got much larger and I was sure it liked my growing conditions. Just my 2 cents.

I have about 10 phals, and I have never had a problem with them. This particular one had about a 20'' leaf span. It was my biggest phal.

It began turning yellow from the center out. Maybe it is a rot problem.

I have to agree. it's most likely a rot problem, sorry to hear that

is there anyway I could nurse it back to health?

Yes, if they start yellowing from the center it looks like rot. I lost plant like this too. I bought it and it was dead in few days. When I cut it the rot was inside, but the plant looked very healthy from outside. Sorry...... :(

I think the only way to get it back is to hope for keikis

I'm not sure. You can take off all those leaf remains and try to locate the rot and then cut off the rotted area. You had to do it the same day this yellowing started. If one leaf remains, the chances are ghostly. :(

Matthews, pollinating would not put stress on a phal of such extreme. It would be nice if you could take a :photo: or 2 to zero in on the bothersome area. It is possible to advance over an ailing phal and bring back to health...ones that I have found extremely forgiving, but it really depends on it's current condition.

I will try to post some pictures in the next few hours.

Edit: Pictures are coming!

Here are the pictures:

The bottom picuture is a Phal with white roots. Does anyone know what it is? Thanks!

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I can tell you, that your plants have a good case of sunburn (that's the classic photo). Roots look sunburnt also. You might move plant to a shadier location for a while. Leaves will not get better, but new ones will be greener. I just didn't think this sounded like any case of rot I ever experienced.

I don't see anything suspicious. Looks like these roots grew without light, for example, in non-transparent pot. And then you took them out.

Hi , My opinion is crown rot . You can pour straight peroxcide in the top . Use a tissue to remove it when it stops fizzing it reverts back to water when done .
Sometimes the plant will grow a basal keiki a plant from the base of the old one . It takes a long time . keep top of the plant dry and out of direct sun . It might produce a keiki from the spike .
I looked at the bottom picture it is hard to tell about the roots , most Phals . do have light colored roots unless they are stained from bark or are old or dead . If rotted they will be squishy . Hope this helps a little . Gin

The Phals roots feel healthy when I touch them, but the only thing wrong is the colour. I have all my plants under 2 fluorescent lights which is not too much sun. I just set up another area with 3 bulbs because I am expecting some new Cattleya's.

All I can say is it is not sunburn because I do not have them in a high sun area. I am thinking that Gin is right with the crown rot. I am going to go buy some peroxcide.

Thanks for all the help!

Matt, I has one go down like this about 2 weeks ago. I pulled off the rotten leaves, kept it watered and out pop a new tiny leaf. It's about 5 days old now. I didn't do anything 'cept keep the roots moist.
Good luck with your orchid :)

I will try, Thanks!