yellow spot on leaf - new orchid HELP - Orchid Board

omlitt2 · #1 08-30-2016, 12:59 PM

I just purchased this phalaenopsis (currently in bloom) from trader joes and noticed this spot on one of the leaves (see pictures) a week after getting it home by a southwest facing window. It seems to be getting a little bigger but not much. Any advice? Should I be worried?

Other details, the soil was very wet when I received and I let it dry out very well before watering again. I thought it was odd that it was that well-watered, I've read that it shouldn't be this wet. Any tips on assessing watering frequency? I have been taking the inner pot out and water from the tap and let it drain completely before placing back in the decorative pot after watering.

bil · #2 08-30-2016, 01:52 PM

Don't panic just yet. What's it potted in?

omlitt2 · #3 08-31-2016, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

Don't panic just yet. What's it potted in?

I honestly couldn't tell you, no info on the card, the inner pot is plastic (with drain at the bottom) but it's not clear. May safe assumption is it's in whatever they're usually sold/shipped in?

bil · #4 08-31-2016, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omlitt2

I honestly couldn't tell you, no info on the card, the inner pot is plastic (with drain at the bottom) but it's not clear. May safe assumption is it's in whatever they're usually sold/shipped in?

If it is potted in moss, then you need to be very careful about letting the medium dry out. Not the roots, the MEDIUM, because if it stays wet too long the roots will suffocate. If it is potted in coarse bark, you simply can't overwater it.

silken · #5 08-31-2016, 01:55 AM

A southwest window sounds like it could be quite bright and warm. Phals are fairly low light plants, so it could be getting too much sun. How far from the window is it and does bright light shine in on it?

bil · #6 08-31-2016, 07:36 AM

I really don't think that is sunburn. I've sunburnt a couple, and it was way worse than that.

silken · #7 08-31-2016, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

I really don't think that is sunburn. I've sunburnt a couple, and it was way worse than that.

I figure if it is just borderline too bright/hot it may be a slight sunburn. I grow mine in East and North windows and they do fine.

omlitt2 · #8 08-31-2016, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silken

A southwest window sounds like it could be quite bright and warm. Phals are fairly low light plants, so it could be getting too much sun. How far from the window is it and does bright light shine in on it?

it's about 4-6 inches from the window sill and does get direct light afternoon to early evening. i could probably move closer to the window corners with less direct light or get sheers? or further away from window?

---------- Post added at 01:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:23 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by bil

If it is potted in moss, then you need to be very careful about letting the medium dry out. Not the roots, the MEDIUM, because if it stays wet too long the roots will suffocate. If it is potted in coarse bark, you simply can't overwater it.

I an see that there is moss on the top! would you assume the rest of it is moss then?

sorry, complete newb

bil · #9 08-31-2016, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omlitt2

I an see that there is moss on the top! would you assume the rest of it is moss then?

sorry, complete newb

I really don't like the term newb. It implies you are some kind of fool. We are all 'newbs' every time we try a new type of orchid.

A lot of firms sell orchids packed in moss. I have bought plants whose roots were all dead, and the pot was full of a solid, rotting mass of moss and roots.

To keep a phal in moss requires real care, dedication and careful observation.
I make the joke that Mossites are filthy heretics that have abandoned the one true Barkista faith.

However, I do think that telling newcomers to the hobby to pot phals and other thick root epiphytes in moss is doing them a disservice. If you pot the phals in coarse bark, and nothing else, it is impossible to overwater them.
Basically, it's up to you. I do worry that too many newcomers find it so hard to keep them i mosss that they give up on the hobby which is a shame.

estación seca · #10 08-31-2016, 03:25 PM

Welcome, omlitt2!

A lot of Phals are grown to blooming stage overseas in huge shallow trays of something. When the wholesale order comes in, they are uprooted, their roots are wrapped in fresh sphagnum moss, and they are stuffed into a pot. Then they are shipped. They usually didn't grow in that pot for very long, and it's usually a good idea to repot them into fresh medium as soon as you buy them. If the Phal's roots aren't in bad shape, the flowering will not be affected.

Some people do very well with Phals in sphagnum moss. Others don't. If you overwater your house plants, don't use moss, unless you learn to change your ways.

Read through these threads for some excellent information:

The Phal abuse ends here.

Using skewers to determine when to water