Brown patches under Phal leaves

[bizliz27]

Hi, I have a phal and was giving it the once over and noticed loads of brownish patches of moss under. The patches seem to be under the leaves. Am I over watering it or is some form of rot? I only noticed it now as my Orchid seemed to be doing really well with its flowers.

Any suggestions to what it is would be greatly appreciated.

thank you
Elizabeth

[kiki-do]

Hi bizliz27!!! I really can't make out what that is under the leaf. My first thoughts are that it's getting too wet. It looks like it lays right on the moss when you aren't holding it up, right? How often are you watering it and how are you watering it? Moss is difficult to find a balance because most of us tend to want to overwater.

[Zoi2]

Hi Elizabeth, I get this under my phals' leaves too. The moss directly under the lower leaves isn't drying out as fast so it stays wet or damp and a light brown color. Nothing to worry about but you might want to water a little less. Your blooms are beautiful!
Joann

[bizliz27]

Hey - thank you for your replys. I had a feeling I might be over watering it.

When I bought the Orchid, the instructions said to submerge the root mass in water for an hour a week and drain it. My mum who is a bit better with plants than me said to not get the top wet, so I've more been sitting it in water than submerging. Within the water its sits in I have been adding a few drops it "Bab Bio Orchid Feed" in the water. But since then I've been reading different threads on OB which all say to soak it in about 15-20 minutes and to only "feed" once a month. Is this right? I think I may cut down on the time I leave it to soak. I'm glad its nothing TOO serious - I was really worried it was rot and a re-potting was in order! I would have no clue what to do then!

thanks
Elizabeth

[Taceas]

It just looks like discoloration of the moss to me, most of mine get this as they don't get much light under the leaves and the "gunk", as I call it, can't photosynthesize. I guess the "gunk" would be algae or whatnot, and doesn't seem to be detrimental in anyway. What also makes me think its algae is that it turns brown/dies when its in my home out of direct sunlight for a few months. But it eventually comes back when they go out for the summer and gets rain, outside air, and sunlight.

It does sound like you were over-doing it a bit on watering and fertilizing, but that's just me. I water once a week, or when I remember. I just set them in the sink and spray them down with the sink sprayer for a few minutes till the water fills up the pot, then let it drain, respray and let it drain, and that's about it.

I fertilize every few months with a fertilizer concentrate I got from First Rays, but again, that's just me. Having to baby them all the time takes the fun out of it I think. Most of mine do great with benign neglect, the more I fussed over them the worse they did.

But the orchid looks healthy enough, so you're doing something it likes. Its a very lovely color.

I just "rescued" a chartreuse colored Phal. from Walmart last week. I love the destructions on its care, "Add 2-3 ice cubes a week to the top of the medium and that's it." Well given the entire pot has roots all over the top of the moss, I don't think it'd like ice cubes all that well. It's a healthy looking plant without any blemishes or discoloration, and wasn't bad for $5. Just keep telling myself that...

[bizliz27]

(thank you - I love their bright colour too)

wow thank you for your reply - I will cut down on the watering and feeding and try just putting it in the sink once in a while. When you say you spray it with the sink sprayer - do you spray all over? So I can get the top of the moss wet then? Sorry with all the stupid questions - Im really an Orchid Novice.

I'd like to get to that stage where I can 'rescue' Orhcids from places like supermarkets. I saw one in Ikea the other day where it looked like it needed a little love and water. (but with my track record of watering I may have been wrong!)

Would ice cubes not be good if the roots are really showing through the moss then?

I agree $5 for a healthy plant with no dicolouration is great! It must be really satisfying when you do 'rescue' one and it gets better and flourishes.

Elizabeth

[Sandy4453]

Hi Elizabeth. I believe you're looking at this all wrong. Moss should be brown, not green. You've got a pot filled with moss which has soured and now, growing algae and is why it's turned from brown (healthy) to green. Green moss = souring = algae = time to change the moss = not a big deal. The brown moss under that leaf has been somewhat protected from the elements that caused the rest of the pot to sour. It's time to change the moss!

P.S. That Phal is a beauty!

[bizliz27]

oh ok. so I got it totally wrong!! I didnt realise, I definately need to learn more about my phal! Is moss quite fussy - would I be better with bark?

Thank you I just love the colour sop much - it's so beautiful and I've just seen three new spikes coming out of the stems where new buds will hopefully form YAY

Elizabeth

[mojomick]

Hi Elizabeth, I would also suggest watering weakly weekly with a good flush of plain water once per month. Be careful with plants growing in moss, as the top may look dry but the inside of the moss may stil be wet and this can cause root rot. Nice plant. Betty

[camille1585]

Me too, I would suggest watering weakly weekly. I really don't agree with the starve and binge method. Orchids really do better if you feed them a little bit, all the time, with a good flushing from time to time.

I agree with Sandy, it's time to change the medium! If you feel comfortable with moss, you can repot in moss, but don't pack it too tight.
Otherwise, if you have trouble with the watering, it might be better to go to a bark based mix instead. Also, plants in bark don't care if you soak 5 minutes, or 30 minutes. It'll drain the same. If you do, be sure to soak the bark overnigh before repotting!