Is my new phal healthy? - Orchid Board

Boshia · #1 03-30-2015, 01:48 PM

Hi all, just got this phal a few days ago, it was only after I was researching online that I realized the spike is dead(it's brown) and it looks like the buds that are hanging on are dead as well. I took it out of the pot yesterday to look at the root system and my goodness, there were so many roots I couldn't put it back the same way! If the pot is so overcrowded with roots that it's hard to get it back in the pot, should I move up a size? Pictures are attached of the plant, I just need an overall opinion on how this plant is health-wise, and if there is anything I need to do. Thank you.

(first picture is of where I am keeping it right now, unsure of the whole indirect sunlight thing, am i doing it right?)

WhiteRabbit · #2 03-30-2015, 10:15 PM

Looks ok to me - were the roots mostly all firm?
Sometimes buds blast - it happens. New plants might do this due to a change in their environment (temps, humidity, drafts).

Phals can take some sun, but don't require as much as some other orchids can. If unsure, try to gradually move it towards more sun. I grow and bloom Phals in a north facing window, a shady east facing window, and a couple of sunnier west facing windows that get some mid-late afternoon sun (watching for extremely hot afternoons, when they get moved). Some morning sun usually works well, if that is do-able for you, but mine at least have done well with other options as well.

You may want to read the first few pages of this thread http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ends-here.html

Boshia · #3 03-30-2015, 11:55 PM

Sonya, the roots really were wonderful. I didn't see anything rotten, and they were either light green or a silver color.

Bud blast- is that what it's called when they just shrivel up and die? Or whatever happened to mine.

I did actually read that thread! I'm still confused on the indirect lighting thing. Indirect lighting is just shade, right? But in the case of these orchids, it's bright shade?

campchi · #4 03-31-2015, 12:05 AM

Indirect sun means shades, or away from direct sun ray. Direct sun ray will burn the plant immediately. I've purchase 3 phals 3 days ago, went have lunch with my friend, totally forgot I have em in my car. By the time I realize, couple of the leaves got a bit burn.

Boshia · #5 03-31-2015, 04:38 PM

Thank you. From how you described indirect sunlight I think where the orchids are now is their best bet. Question- when I was watering today I noticed some very small bugs that were kind of clear, they seemed to have two long antennas at the front of their body. And they moved fast. What are these things and are they harmful?

campchi · #6 03-31-2015, 05:58 PM

A pic will help

Boshia · #7 03-31-2015, 06:00 PM

They're too fast for a good picture, and they're kind of hard to see because they're clear-ish.

campchi · #8 03-31-2015, 07:59 PM

Just flush it out then. U can use bayer 3in1 for flower. This will helps to kill any bugs.

Boshia · #9 04-02-2015, 04:49 PM

Thank you, I will look for that next time I go out.

rbarata · #10 04-02-2015, 05:32 PM

It seems to me to be a juvenile keiki...as far a I know, and I have an example at home right now, keikis develop spikes that die without blooming. One of the leaves has some white powder on it? The other leave seems healty from the upper side, but those red spots... hummm, I don't know.
The roots are, some dead, others with the healty color, the usual on a healty phal.

Do you know what's the "powder"? Minerals from the water?