problems with all orchids... :S

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The floral mutations could be issues from cloning or something arbitrary in the environment that's triggering it. In these instances, there's not a whole lot you can do about it. Do know that those maladies are usually temporary. The next set of blooms will not necessarily turn out the same way.

As for your Phals, there's probably not enough moisture going to it. Yes, the bromeliad is a sign, but I've also had this experience myself with a Phal. It is not severe and is temporary as well. The newer leaves will progressively get larger and larger once a sufficient amount of water is provided.

[peeweelovesbooks]

I am growing them outside in a shadehouse with 50% shade, temperature is like outside, maybe a degree or 2 warmer during hot days, there is a lot of air circulation and door and window are constantly open. I am watering them when they approach dryness... Fertilizing them every week or less... These days, temperatures were around 30c inside and a degree or two less outside... Humidity is fluctuating... I mist them a lot, and humidity raises during night and falls with sunrise... Nothing special... Typical outside conditions!

30 degrees celcius translates into 86 degrees farenheit. I thought all miltonopsis and related genera were cool growers? If that's so, then maybe you are stressing the plants too much.

Also, I think you are providing them with too much light. Vandas require WAY more light than phalaenopsis and miltonia. And, if your vandas are growing well, I think the light for the other genera is too high.

Also, the picture of the phal you posted looks like a new leaf... maybe it will continue to grow?

[silken]

I agree, 30C is a bit too high for cool growers like miltoniopsis. And they need constant moisture (but not saturated) or their leaves will crinkle. If they can be cooled at night they can withstand the warmer day temps for short periods of time. They cannot tolerate the amount of light a vanda would.

Another thought with the deformed flowers is are you using SuperThrive Or some other growth hormone on your orchids. Too much of it will cause deformed flowers and growths.

[orchid maniac]

I have moved miltoniopsis and related genera into shadier and cooler conditions... I just hope they will respond well! As for rest of them that I left in shadehouse, I will increase watering and do whatever I can to increase humidity... I am not using any hormones, only fertilizer for orchids, every now and then... Could the smaller leaves of Phalaenopsis be the reason of under fertilizing?

[silken]

The smaller leaf looks like a new one. Has it grown at all? It seems to me all of the plants you listed that are struggling are either cool growing or don't want that much sun. So I think by moving them, you will see some improvements. It depends what type of oncidium you have, but some have cooler growing genus in their heritage such as odontoglossum or miltoniopsis and don't like such high temps either. I guess now you should wait and see if the plants look happier and then wait for a new blooming on them to see if they come out normal. I could see one plant with flower mutations as a fluke but if there are more than one, then I would guess environment since you aren't using hormones.

As far as small leaves caused by infrequent fertilizing, I sort of doubt it unless it is REALLY infrequent. A friend of mine has a Phal. and for 4 years he wouldn't feed it because the tag said no need to feed or re-pot. Nothing I could say could change his mind! I think it grew a normal looking leaf or two in that time but finally he re-potted and started feeding and he is converted! The plant looks much happier and is putting out new roots and leaves and he is hoping for blooms. You would starve if you didn't eat and so does any living thing including a plant! So feed them weakly weekly

[orchid maniac]

Phals are bothering me the most... Yes you have understood it correctly... They develop new leaves, but they don't grow to their full size... They grow way smaller, and every other new leaf reduces its size as well... All those other orchids I can even cope with, but this thing with phals is really annoying!

[Oscarman]

I would suggest that the humidty is too low and the phals in the basket just are not getting enough moisture, regularly. The smaller leaf looks red tinged and that is generally a response to higher light levels - perhaps a bit too much for the phals in combination with the low humidty and moisture at the roots.

How are the roots? You can't get good plants without good roots.

[silken]

Originally Posted by orchid maniac

Phals are bothering me the most... Yes you have understood it correctly... They develop new leaves, but they don't grow to their full size... They grow way smaller, and every other new leaf reduces its size as well... All those other orchids I can even cope with, but this thing with phals is really annoying!

Subsequent smaller leaves that are mature is a sign the plant is struggling. As mentioned above it is likely too much sun and not enough humidity in the air and/or at the roots. I think I see one of your phals in a clear pot. I find them very useful, especially for phals to see what's going on. The roots should be fairly extensive, thick, fleshy and silver coloured when dry and green when wet. When you water, soak the pot for a few mins and notice the roots will be green. Phals don't like to go completely bone dry so when the roots become silvery again it is usually time to water.

[orchid maniac]

the roots are fine, but i think i will get them back to pots... I think they don't appreciate this basket culture very much! from all that you suggested, I guess low moisture is the main reason... When it gets hot, I just cannot get the air to become more humid... Air flow is OK, light is filtered through the mesh that is used for shading (but still maybe to strong for phals), and there is a possibility that I don't water them enough... The thing is that they put a lot of flowers and root growth (especially those in clear plastic pots), but the leaves are suffering... They do not appear to have any disease, on the contrary... They are healthy! But small and somewhat "dwarfed" in comparison to normal sized leaves...

[silken]

Some Phal plants are much smaller than others. But if they previously grew larger leaves, then they are not happy about something. Sounds like they prefer the plastic pots. I think your various orchids will perk up once you adjust their individual growing areas to suit their needs. Discovering how they grow in the wild is a great help too.