Flowers misshapen and wilted nearly immediately after opening

[Bobits]

Hi, as you can see in the photos below, I have a Phal that has lots of heathy looking roots below the bark surface that has kindly re bloomed for me. I use the chopstick method for watering and use 19-32-17 orchid fertilizer about once every 10 days. I should mention that the Phal receives less than optimal light and humidity based on my local and kitchen exposure (easterly in southern Ontario). I should mention that I out the Phal outside early this summer and brought it in and out due to +++ rain. It ended up a bit sunburned one day but appears to have recovered ok after dropping one leave. So my questions are : why are the flowers wilting/drooping like this so soon after opening? How can I fix or prevent this? And why is my leave curling in the first picture?

[voyager]

I am not very experienced with Phals.
But, my observations and questions:
The black area on the one leaf makes me think sunburn or frostbite.
The leaf that is folding up, does it feel thin and soft or is it firm and plump?

My suspicion is that they my be reacting to cool temps and/or lack of water.
The time of year and your location in Canada leads me to be suspicious of cool temps.

Now, wait for someone that knows about Phals to give their opinion.

[Bobits]

Hi voyager, the Phal did get a sunburn and that is what the black mark is. That was quite a long time ago and it has recovered so I don't think it's related to the flowering problem. The leaves are fairly plump but I agree that lack of moisture might be an issue as one of the other leaves is a bit wrinkly. As I mentioned, I am using the chopstick/skewer method in which I water when the stick is nearly dry. Maybe I have missed some watering and that is contributing. I am careful not to overwater as I don't want rot.

[silken]

The leaves do look dessicated. Do you give them a good flush of water when you are watering? I agree with not over watering them but the leaves on Phals are quite large so they do take a fair bit of moisture to keep them hydrated.

[Ray]

I agree with desiccation. The plant obviously is not taking up sufficient water. "Why" is the question.

Either you're under underwatering, or the roots are in such poor condition that the plant simply can't do so.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[Bobits]

I soak it each time I water with luke warm water. I usually half fill sink with appropriate amout of dilute fertilizer and pour cups of the water in the plant continuously until all the bark is wet. Then I let all the water drain out and return the plant to the outer pot. I repeat this when the skewer is about dry. Maybe I'm letting it dry too much?

[Bobits]

And the roots look awesome to me. I'll take a better photo of the roots when I get home...

[silken]

Originally Posted by Bobits

I soak it each time I water with luke warm water. I usually half fill sink with appropriate amout of dilute fertilizer and pour cups of the water in the plant continuously until all the bark is wet. Then I let all the water drain out and return the plant to the outer pot. I repeat this when the skewer is about dry. Maybe I'm letting it dry too much?

I agree, the roots in the photo look great. I don't let my Phals get quite as dry as my Catts before watering, but just damp and not many green roots visible. Which means they are wet. Is there a warm air outlet blowing near the plant? The leaves should be plump and open, not withering in as in the picture. So something is keeping them from being fully hydrated.
Another thing that can make blooms finish early is if you have ripening fruit such as bananas or apples nearby. They give off ethylene gas which speeds bloom aging.

[Bobits]

Hi silken, there is a vent near the plant so maybe that is it. It is also a kitchen so fruit is in the vicinity... I will see if there's a better location and try wetting more frequently. Thanks everyone. I will keep checking for other perspectives though.

[Bobits]

*watering