Phalaenopsis in semi hydro with wilted leaves?

[The Peloric Orchid]

I recently transplanted two mature Phalaenopsis equestris plants to semi hydro. One of them is doing fine but this one has dry, wrinkled leaves. Because there's no signs of rot in the leaves or crown it almost seems like it's being underwatered? Should I water or mist the top of the pellets even though there's water in the reservoir? Should I unpot it and see what the roots are doing?

Actually, is misting the top of the LECA even beneficial? I started doing it on my plants that only had shallow roots and I think it helped.

Thanks!

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[estación seca]

It can take them a while to get acclimated. My first Phal into S/H did this for a while, then stiffened up. Ray says they eventually grow a whole new set of roots because conditions are so different, and this will take a while.

Don't mist the leaves/crown. Misting the LECA can moisten it but you will eventually have the problem of salt buildup. It is better to water the usual way, filling the pot and flushing it.

If you gently and one at a time remove some of the clay balls without disturbing the plant you can tell whether there is any dampness down where the roots are. If it isn't damp there, you need to water more often.

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[mtorchid]

I eventually moved my Phals (and LECA) into regular open drain pots as the inner most areas stayed damp causing some root rotting in my growing conditions. You could try inserting bamboo skewers down into the LECA to see what the moisture is like but that's easier done with bark medium.

What I found by misting the top, dry LECA was roots started growing upwards out of the LECA. Hindsight, when transplanting them, turns out they were the healthiest roots as they weren't as water saturated as interior roots. Your growing conditions may favor Phal-S/H however. My Oncs, Dens and Catts love S/H.

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[The Peloric Orchid]

Thanks for your help! I stopped misting and just started watering them more to make sure the topmost pellets didn't dry out while they adjust. I have no idea what my environment favores but my watering habits and travels prefer semi-hydro so I'm determined to make this work.

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[estación seca]

It sometimes takes them weeks to months to adapt to S/H.

[Ray]

If the top of the medium is drying out rapidly, it suggests your ambient humidity is low, and it cannot hurt to find a way to boost it.

What potting medium was the wilted plant in previously? "Conversion" of the root system is not a change in those roots (the can't), it is a replacement of those old roots with new ones. Loss of water through the leaves goes on, and if the existing roots are not able to take up a sufficient amount of water to replace it, desiccation occurs, as you are seeing. That is one reason I recommend only moving a plant over right when new roots are emerging from the base of the plant, and treat it with KelpMax to stimulate new root growth.

Try inverting a plastic bag over that plant and pot to maximize the RH around it while it grows new roots.

[The Peloric Orchid]

Yes, it is low. It was fine earlier but now that the heat is running my apartment dried out.
That plant and it's sibling were growing in fine bark. It's just unusual to me that the one adjusted just fine but this one seems to be struggling.
Yes, I did take a calculated risk but the plant is still alive for now.
Thanks! I'll try the kelpmax and bag for a while.

[wintergirl]

Maybe get a humidifier too.