wavy phal leaf - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 05-03-2009, 08:59 PM

Hi,
My phal hasn't had this wavy leaf until fairly recently, so it makes me wonder if there's something I need to change about it's growing conditions or maybe this is just normal sometimes?? It seems to really like where it is sitting now.....under a table lamp with 2 lights...1 fluorescent (13 watt, I think) and 1 60 watt plant bulb. Water whenever it begins to seem dry (approx ea wk.)...about 50-55% humidity...room temp about 75 degrees.

I would appreciate your advice.
Thanks,
Vicki

Pilot · #2 05-03-2009, 10:30 PM

Does it get any natural light? I don't think the lights you mention would provide enough for a healthy plant (and healthy I mean flowering regularly). I'm certainly no expert though.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #3 05-04-2009, 02:39 AM

I think it's a nutrient deficiency. Maybe phosphorous, don't remember.

frostedeyes · #4 05-04-2009, 04:05 AM

its prolly genetics habit of sometimes growing like that. kinda like onc. sharry baby... it has a habit that causes leaf spotting... and its inevitable.... its just born to have freckles! LOL!

Blueszz · #5 05-04-2009, 07:01 AM

I don't know about the leaf, but in my experience 11 Watt of fluorescent light with natural day light during the winter (very short dark days here) was way to much for my Phal's.
If the 13 Watt is close enough to the plant and the light is on for 14-16 hours a day, I think this should be enough lighting. BTW what color temperature is that lamp?

VickiC · #6 05-04-2009, 08:12 AM

Hi!
If by natural light you mean sunlight...no, it doesn't. I
agree with you about flowering. I've have a few other plants inside that have never flowered (except a den which is in spike now, but this one seems to be an exception). I know that the reason they haven't bloomed is because of lack of natural light, but I'm resolved with that because I enjoy the plant alone inside, if it is healthy, that is. Otherwise, it goes to my orchid room for "rehab" lol.

Thanks for your reply,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilot

Does it get any natural light? I don't think the lights you mention would provide enough for a healthy plant (and healthy I mean flowering regularly). I'm certainly no expert though.

VickiC · #7 05-04-2009, 08:30 AM

Hi King!
I'm fertilizing with Ray's fertilizer for pure water (reading from the label, it says 3-0.75-4-2Ca-0.5Mg) with distilled water. The fertilizer directions recomm. 3-4 teas per gallon. I may have not been using enough because I have sometimes found myself mixing less than 3 teas., to my water (for some unknown reason lol) for my non-blooming inside plants but I have tried to remember to go back and add the additional when I realize I have slipped up.
Thanks for your advice,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

I think it's a nutrient deficiency. Maybe phosphorous, don't remember.

VickiC · #8 05-04-2009, 08:36 AM

Hi!
My phal is a noid (from Lowes), so I have no idea about it's genetics. The plant seems to be very healthy and happy where it is, so you may have put your finger right on the reason.
Thanks for your help,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostedeyes

its prolly genetics habit of sometimes growing like that. kinda like onc. sharry baby... it has a habit that causes leaf spotting... and its inevitable.... its just born to have freckles! LOL!

VickiC · #9 05-04-2009, 08:42 AM

Hi!
That's another good thought for me to consider.....too much light for too long, because it does indeed get light from both bulbs about 12 hrs. ea. day. As for color, I have understood that the fluorescent I'm using lacks a color that the plant bulb has....I can't remember the color, though. ??
Thanks for your advice,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blueszz

I don't know about the leaf, but in my experience 11 Watt of fluorescent light with natural day light during the winter (very short dark days here) was way to much for my Phal's.
If the 13 Watt is close enough to the plant and the light is on for 14-16 hours a day, I think this should be enough lighting. BTW what color temperature is that lamp?

VickiC · #10 05-04-2009, 08:48 AM

Oops, I made a mistake! I just realized that I had put a label down inside the pot when I repotted it from Lowes, so I looked at it and it says "DO371 P. Diamond BeautyxP.(Sara Kee-Fortune Buddha). I don't know how to read labels, but I wanted you to know I made a mistake because I'm guessing you know how.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostedeyes

its prolly genetics habit of sometimes growing like that. kinda like onc. sharry baby... it has a habit that causes leaf spotting... and its inevitable.... its just born to have freckles! LOL!