Phal spike turned brown

[npastuck]

Being new to the orchid world I am not sure if this is a natural occurrence. My phals have been doing terrific with blooms lasting up to 3 months or so. The other day I noticed a spike had turned a deep red to brown color and the blooms are all dying. The other spike is fine with beautiful blooms. Not sure if I did something wrong or what I should be doing.I love these plants and would like to keep them healthy. Help

[dounoharm]

it could be that the spike has ended its blooming lifespan, cut it back to 2" or so and wait till another one forms, probly in a few months to a year....as long as the plant itself looks healthy you are doing fine....post picturees so we can all see! gl

[cythaenopsis]

If you're new to the orchid world, then you may have made some of the more common mistakes. It's alright--many people make them as part of becoming initiated in the orchid world.

First and foremost, phals tend to come overly packed with moss. Sellers do this predominantly to lower the frequency of watering and to keep them from shifting around when moving pots. However, all that packing creates two major problems: insufficient air to the roots and too much moisture, both of which promote rotting. That rotting can manifest itself 6-12 months after having bought the plant, depending upon how much the plant is watered.

It's one thing when a phal does a bud blast (dropping buds before they bloom), which can happen without any signs of health dangers, but another when a whole spike turns brownish/red and all of the buds die off. It's usually systemic of a root problem.


You can remove an orchid from its pot while keeping most of the moss intact. This will help you get an idea of the root health. But if it has been a year or more since you got the plants, you're due for a potting mix change.

[Cym Ladye]

You have done nothing wrong, the spike has just bloomed itself out and started to die back. Phals do not bloom forever! Follow Dounoharm's advice and you will be just fine.

In the meantime, to learn more about Phals, browse the OB Phal site and some of the stickies on the Beginner forum to find out perhaps more than you ever thought you would ever want to learn......

Good luck and welcome to the OB.

Cym Ladye