I know there are loads of OB members that are having great success with phals in s/h. Unfortunately I'm not one of them and I really need some advice and suggestions. Last summer I repotted 4 of my phals into s/h. I did my research first and repotted only when I had lots of new root growth. All the plants were healthy and growing in bark before I changed over.
For a long time it seemed like they were sulking a bit and had really floppy leaves. But then I started getting new roots growing above the primeagra and a few new leaves so I thought they were adjusting. However, 2 of them have really went downhill. I moved all my orchids under fluorescent lighting almost 5 months ago and while everything had a growth explosion, the phals in s/h have not grown any new roots and they are losing bottom leaves one right after the other. I know that can be normal w/ phals but the 2 I'm concerned with have only 3 leaves left (that don't look too good either) and they were big(ish) and healthy before.
Yesterday I moved them onto the floor next to my orchid rack because the leaves are really purple and completely limp. I have a light meter and they were under about 800 fc which shouldn't be to bright for them and other phals under that kind of light are doing fine.
I water with distilled water and use MSU fertilizer for pure water at 125ppm. I also use 2 drops of KLN per gallon everytime I water. The humidity in the room where they are kept is around 60-65%. I have a fan going 24/7 and temps range right now from 70-83F. I have been watering once a week because thats when it starts to look like it's getting dry. Could that be part of my problem? The last few weeks I've been trying to water them every few days or so to see if that helps. From the appearance of the leaves it looks like I haven't watered them in months.
I would LOVE some suggestions on what I'm doing wrong. Obviously phals seem to like s/h for other people so I have to be doing something wrong. What's frustrating is that I have a Sharry Baby and Brassia that I moved last year as well and they are doing great and have been since day one. I'm just worried if I don't do something soon I'm going to lose the phals. I mean it's been a full year, shouldn't they be doing better and not worse?
Sorry this has gotten so long. I'm just trying to cover everything so someone can point out all the stuff I'm doing wrong.
TIA
Unhappy Phals :(
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