Help, it doesn't look that good

[Dub3]

Howdy folks, I have one Phrag that seems to be on a downhill trek. It is a division that I received last fall and seems to suffer from a leaf die back that starts at the tip and proceeds to the base it has been in bright light and I have watered it at least every 3rd day with rain water. I have fertilized it weakly weekly. It is labeled Phrag. Mt. Faiw and I have not been able to find it on google.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Ghosthunt64]

Not really... I'm no expert, but the RHS International Orchid Register lists two possibilities; Mount Ford or Mountain Maid:

The International Orchid Register / RHS Gardening
The International Orchid Register / RHS Gardening

Both have species in them which like an absurd amount of water, so much so that people often grow them in trays of water and really low fertilizer. Do you know what the flower looks like? But get a second opinion before you go ahead with either.

[quiltergal]

Phrags are not noted for being heavy feeders. You may be over fertilizing which causes leaf tip burn. I would only fertilize once a month. Maybe reduce the light a little as well.

That appears to be an unregistered hybrid. Are you sure the name is spelled correctly?

[dounoharm]

it looks to me like the media it is in is a bit large...I always grew my phrags in a smaller bark mix, like a paph mix....and kept them sitting in saucers of water...most of them really need to have that water under them....and, as stated above, cut back on the fertilizer, phrags just don't need or like it....once a month very weak is plenty!...good luck!

[MrHappyRotter]

You're probably over fertilizing, and even if not, you're definitely under watering.

Get that plant a saucer, leave water in the saucer at all times. Empty the saucer and give it new, fresh water every 2 - 3 days. And feed very lightly.

[vjo]

I grow all my phrags in s/h they love it!! I also fertilize very seldom, and weakly when I do. They get watered with rain water only. Hope this helps...Jean

[Dub3]

WOW that is a lot of help, thanks everyone for the great advice. I'm also going to the grower that I got the plant from and check on that name.

[RosieC]

Yeah, I agree with comments above. That looks like mine when I've been heavy on the fertiliser.

They like even weaker fertiliser than other orchids, and can do well with only ocasional fertiliser.

[NYCorchidman]

I have a different opinion.
Fertilizer burn usually do not have that yellow margin. It is just pitch dark top eating into green part.
Also, I see that one leaf (at app. 10 O'clock direction) with brown indented marks. Also, another leaf in that same direction but a bit shorter one also shows that it had the similar markings but now browning is all over the tip area.

My first and only phrag had those brown indented markings. I would cut away and they would appear again and again. After a while, the plant did not have much left and I tossed it finally.
I never fertilized that plant for one year I had it.
I believe it is an aggressive disease of some kind.

If your plant is valuable, I would treat it with spray.

[phragguy]

I think the name is Mount Fallu.
I grow mine is moss,if it is a long petal cross I use the bark ,charcoal ,perlite.
I don't like coconut husk as it seams to want to rot roots. The big growth looks fine so it is something that has happened when the new growth has been gowing. I also noticed that one of the big leaves has spotting at the ens like it had bugs chewing on it,one other is cut off so it had damage probally.
Could have some bad roots and bugs at one time.
Pull it out of planter check roots and replant. Spray it with a fungicide and a few days laytter sory with a bug spray you have.