Is this phal sun damaged?

[jkofferdahl]

I'd agree with Kim. That plant has been dessicated. With proper potting, and careful attention to it's watering needs, it can be saved.

[sunbirdx]

I am going to try to incorporate everyone's advice here. I am not going to repot, because the medium is less than 6 months old, I think. But I am going to step up my watering regimen. I bought some bamboo skewers today to help monitor pot moisture, and I watered this particular plant with fertilizer and rooting hormone in warm water.

Thanks for all of the info guys, hopefully I can help this guy along. THere have been several instances in the last few months where I thought it was a goner, but so far, it just keeps hanging on. Have yet to see it bloom, but maybe one day!

[nutgirl]

I have found that when phals are struggling and don't have many roots they need more consistant moisture. You can soak longer than 5mins as long as you have good drainage. I soak all my phals for 15-20 mins whenever they need it, not on a set schedule. If you are using a large bark mix they will dry out faster so they might need more frequent watering.

Maureen

[RosieC]

I agree with Maureen. I soak for longer than 5 min and I do it when the bark is dry, not on a set schedule.

Your roots do look very very dry and somewhat desciated so watering more would probably be a good thing.

[priz_m]

I agree with Rosie, it looks dessicated more than sun damaged. I have my phals in a mix of LECA, bark and sphag moss, I soak them for 20 min when the sphag is crunchy dry and there's no apparent moisture in the walls of the pot. They seem to be liking it

Maybe it needs not more water but more humidity

[sunbirdx]

I mist the orchids every day, and here is Seattle, Humidity is generally not the problem

I think It was just drying out to fast, since the plant doesn't have many anchoring roots. I will definitely keep an eye on it from now on!

[orchidsamore]

You are losing leaves because there are no roots to support them. The aerial roots are supporting the new leaves and the old ones had nothing for support.

This is natural and actually better for the plant than trying to keep all leaves alive.

You should never allow a Phal to dry out. That is where the problems start. Phals take a great amount of water and do best when kept consistently damp.