growth disorder?

[henniesteyn]

Hi everyone,
a number of my plants show some growth disorder (I think?) the new leafs are very healthy, spikes are healthy and the plants eem to be in good shape except ..... the new leafs are smaller than the older ones and 'compacted'. they get light, water & fertilizer as required. Any ideas?

[Gin]

That is strange , just a guess, maybe to much light ? I read somewhere long time ago excess light can cause odd leaf growth . just my Also what fertiliser are you using ? Gin

[kavanaru]

are you using some growth hormones for your plants? sometimes if the concentration is too high, you can have malformation in leave and flowers... I mean, the weird is that different plants have the same malformation, so it must be something that all are receiving...

[camille1585]

The plants are stressed about something, but what? What fertilizer are you using, how much, how often? If I recall my plant physiology classes correctly, stunted leaves can be due to micronutrient deficiencies (like zinc I think, which affects growth) or blocages due to too much fertilizer. But normally you would see discolorations as well, which is not the case here. I also heard that extreme temperatures or insufficient light can cause it as well.

I have a seedling phal doing it as well, but I think it's because I have been neglecting it. It looked a bit sick, so I put it in a corner and is got nearly no water or fert in the last 2 months (oops). Now that the plant is better I brought it back with my other orchids where it gets good care again and it is growing a bigger leaf now.

[JennS]

Should this be moved to the Phal forum? I thought they looked like Phals, but i could be wrong? IF not there, maybe the advanced discussion so she can get more help?

[kavanaru]

the fourth plant looks like Paph or Phrag...

[Sandy4453]

I'm not quite sure what we're looking at here? What are these plants? Are the 2nd and 3rd, phals?

Are the leaves growing continuously, without rest before the preceding leaves have developed? Have you noticed, how soon each new leaf begins after the one before that, grew? I tend to think that you're possibly using too high a concentration of fertilizer.

[JennS]

I don't know what they are either, but whatever it is something bad is happening! I would have to assume it is fertilizer or growth hormone related too as a couple of others have said...

[henniesteyn]

hi guys, thanks for your input. this landed here due to my incompetence - please checkout the advanced growers section. click on the photos and the name will come up.

[orchid maniac]

I have the same problem with my phals growing outside during summer in a shadehouse... I was told it happens mainly because the excess light and not enough humidity... I moved most of my phals to shadier location and now I am watching how the thing will go on... I left two phals in a shadehouse, but provided them more shade, also to see if there will be any improvements...