Anaemic looking leaves on doritis and phals
 

I was just wondering if it is a common thing for Phalaenopsis and Doritis orchids to suffer somewhat when they are posted to you? I have bought three phals (received in the post) and all of them have had 'anaemic' looking leaves for three or four weeks afterwards. Then they seem to green up again and 'recover'. It is almost as if they 'sulk' after being posted.

I am rather worried about my Doritis pulcherrima 'Champorensis' as it is three weeks since I received it in the post and it isn't doing anything at all. The roots look healthy but the leaves are quite yellow looking. No sign yet of them greening up. Not quite sure what to do, really! It is a young plant currently potted in medium bark mix.

Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated!

Mossmac

Not sure if it is "normal" but I have observed similar problems with some of my recent purchases. The Miltoniopsis I got was almost white, then it greened up. One of the Phals I ordered was a bit droopy, but not yellow like you describe. Then again, it wasn't shipped very far. How far did your Phals travel and how long were they in the post?

Can you post pics? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to tell you any more, but other people would find the pics usefull in helping you.

As for your Doritis, keep an eye on it for now. I wouldn't give up on it until all the leaves fall off and every little bit of it is shrivelled and quite dead.

Thank you for your reply! That's reassuring to know that someone else has experienced similar 'anaemic' looking orchids after being posted. My orchids were in the post for around five days which isn't very good, I guess (for the orchid - or my patience!!). Postage here in Australia isn't the quickest!

I'm afraid I can't post any pics of my Doritis at the moment as the digital camera has gone on the blink! But I won't give up on it yet, as you advised! I think it might have been used to sphagnum moss as a growing media before I received it - it was posted bare rooted so perhaps it is adjusting to the change in potting media.

I've noticed the same thing with almost every orchid I've bought lately, including a Catt., Phals., and Phrags. It looked to me like they were grown in very high light , giving them that light, yellowish look. They've all done well, and have greened up a bit, so I'm not too concerned. Just my thoughts.

Kim

Try a dose of epsom salts, a tablespoon to a gallon, to green up the leaves. Another product to try is Dyna-gro Protekt, which also strengthens leaves.

I recently got a doritaenopsis (sp?) purple gem from a private party and brought it home. It was bright green and blooming. It continues to put out new blooms but is turning an yellowish color and one leaf has dropped. Your description of anemic is right one.
I checked the roots, they are healthy and green but there is no new growth at the tips. It is with the rest of my phals and they are quite happy.

I don't know what's going on either. I hope someone can tell us.

Maureen

Droopy leaves in Phals is a sign of lack of water. They do not like to dry out.

That is why they 'recover' in a couple of weeks. Watering before shipping prevents this but risks fungal problems.

Most important do not be concerned about the Doritis pulcherrima it will never turn green like other Phals. The plant is normally a more blueish tint.

Thank you for your thoughts, help, advice and experiences! I did not know that Doritis pulcherrima has a more bluish tint to its leaves than phals. I am giving it lots of water (and letting it dry between waterings) so hopefully it will be out of 'sulk mode' soon! I checked its roots again and they look very healthy - nice and plump and green. I have it growing in a clear pot so I can see them - and also when the potting media dries out. Hopefully its healthy roots will transfer some goodness into greening up the leaves/ producing more leaves.

Phals and Doritis do not like to dry out between waterings.

The recommendation is to water just before it dries out.

As you already learned they are tolerant of less than best care.

Mossmac i guess it depends what you mean by anemic? Do you mean floppy and rough or discoloured? Are the roots always fine? Do the leaves fall off?

If they've been posted in pots they really shouldn't be droopy due to lack of water after just 5 days, but the really big killer is heat. If the postie leaves it on a hot doorstep in the sun for a few hours, or worse in a metal letterbox, this is what really makes the plant suffer, not so much the posting. I guess a hot delivery van could do the same thing.

You must live somewhere out in the sticks? Intercity post usually only takes about 3 days on the south/east coast, which isn't too bad for plants.

But you really need to be aware of what you're getting.. there are people selling stuff that has literally been deflasked less than a month ago on ebay at the moment... i know because i got the same flasks from the same vendor at the same time. Decent sized Phal seedlings can take a little postage in their stride, but seriously, how can you expect a 10cm flaskling still with flask adapted leaves and roots to survive a long trip and new environment? It's always a red flag for me when someone advertises a 10cm plant but then posts a different picture of a larger seedling in its place.