Questions about Phals I'm trying to save!

[Singingirl96]

Hello Everyone.

I recently fell in love with orchids and have been doing a lot of research on how to care for them.

Before I knew better, I nearly killed 4 Phals and I'm currently in the process of rehabilitating them. As if it wasn't enough, I took on the job or rehabilitating a friend's phal which she nearly killed as well.

Mine were in a glased pot with no hole on the bottom for over 6 months. I know.... A sin. I know better now.

I trimmed all of the mushy roots and repotted them in a new orchid pot (terracotta with holes on the side) with very coarse orchid mix. They seem to be doing ok... but we'll see. My friend's on the other hand is not doing so well. The roots were nearly gone once I trimmed all the bad ones. Since repotting I had one leaf completely yellow and shrivel. And now another leaf (the biggest) is yellowing as well.

The brightest window in my house is a west facing window, which is not ideal, but is nice and bright. I have the plants sitting by this window and they seem to like it.

I've been feeding the plants with Better gro fertilizer for orchids. And only water them once a week.

Is there, in your experience, something else I should do? Especially with the worse one of the 5?

Do you think I'll get any blooms at all this year?

Thanks for any help.

Singingirl96

[kiki-do]

Hello Singingirl96,
Welcome! I am no authority on orchids, but I too am learning as I go. The light sounds great for the plants. Without a picture, it is hard to gather a guess. How long since you repotted? It could be backlash from how it was before and needs more time. You said the roots were nearly gone? Was it too wet before? Or do you think some virus has hit the plant? Perhaps someone else has more ideas. Phals like to be wet thouroughly, then let almost dry, but not completely dry out. That's how I grow mine, anyway. Sorry I can't be more help. Pictures would really be great. kiki

[snow]

phals like bright INDIRECT light
so don.t let the hot sun shine on them
back them somewhat away from the window.
it might just be the cause of the yellowing leaves and bad culture
with patience and good care they should come back
phals are pretty tough.

[Djarum Black]

Hi Singingirl,

I was thinking about the one out of five that you mentioned. It is possible when you removed all the dead and mushy roots that there was just not enough root left to sustain the plant size. That might cause the leaves to fall off, or die off from lack of water.
I would try to keep the plant on the drier side and hope it throws new roots to make up for the difference.

I'll cross my fingers for your plant!

[irrka]

or do a search for sphag and bag--in which case you're apparently supposed to store up looooots of patience. i'm still working on mine. the patience and the plants.