phal not doing well in s/h - Orchid Board

Chiral224 · #1 07-01-2009, 04:22 PM

Hi,

I've recently switched a phal over to s/h. It had good strong roots and a new spike starting and new leaf growth. I thought this would be a good time to switch, but I probably should have checked new root growth which it didnt have...but it was actively growing so i thought it was ok? Or maybe I'm mixing things up...
Anyway...its been in for about 2 weeks and the leaves are seriously drooping and turning yellow. I can see the roots through the clear container (and I also checked the top ones I could see) and they all look healthy and strong...so...whats up with it? Should I pull it out to check the other roots? or just put it back in sphagnum and hope for the best??

Thanks in advance

Ray · #2 07-02-2009, 09:09 AM

Don't shock it again by re-repotting!!!

Such a reaction suggests the plant is being stressed in some way, but if the roots were in good shape when you moved it, going from sphagnum to S/H isn't much of a shock to the plant at all. Let's look elsewhere:

Did you clean the LECA really well before use?

How often are you watering?

With what solution are you watering?

Conversely, if the roots were not in good shape, the plant was destined to have that reaction anyway (repotting would probably exacerbate it), so your going to need to give it a bit of better care for a while anyway.

Chiral224 · #3 07-02-2009, 07:59 PM

Hi Ray,

I was sure I cleaned the LECA well. It soaked for 3 days and I rinsed and changed the water several times each day. It soaked in superthrive (couldnt find KLN) and when I transferred it over I used water with a little superthrive and dynagro grow.
It had beautiful roots when I transplanted it, but no new roots. Its just getting worse every day. I have 2 of 3 leaves going soft, pitted, and yellow....sigh...

should i pull it out to see the other roots? or too much shock? the ones i see look fine. I'll attach a pic...

Its only been in a couple weeks, so I havent really had to water it. I do mist the top with distilled water

kavanaru · #4 07-02-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiral224

Its only been in a couple weeks, so I havent really had to water it. I do mist the top with distilled water

suggestion: water at least once a week if you can (more often will not hurt!! frequent watering helps to avoid salt formation on the LECA / Roots, or to dilute the fertilizer concentration in the water and keep at the desired concentration (There is always evaporation, and therefore the concentration will always increase with time)

as for the rest of diagnosis, I leave itto Ray who has a lot more experience with S/H than me

If you have a Pic, that would also help a lot!!!

Ray · #5 07-02-2009, 10:27 PM

The pitting in the leaves is unrelated to transplantation. It sounds to me like bacterial or fungal infection as a result of wetting the leaves.

Misting is supposed to raise humidity of the air, not wet the plant. Please read this: Evaporation

Chiral224 · #6 07-02-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

The pitting in the leaves is unrelated to transplantation. It sounds to me like bacterial or fungal infection as a result of wetting the leaves.

Misting is supposed to raise humidity of the air, not wet the plant. Please read this: Evaporation

I went and really looked at the leaves, they arent really pitted just really soft an d limp. No, I never mist the leaves, just the LECA. Do you think my problem is just that its not wet enough??? I'll get some pics up tommorrow

Becca · #7 07-03-2009, 12:05 AM

Well what I have learned from Ray, is that the more often you can water the better since it helps with the exchange of gases which is essential to the roots....did I get that one right Ray? So perhaps watering more often until the 'chid get's situated and comfortable would be a good idea.

Ray · #8 07-03-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiral224

I went and really looked at the leaves, they arent really pitted just really soft an d limp. No, I never mist the leaves, just the LECA. Do you think my problem is just that its not wet enough??? I'll get some pics up tommorrow

Why mist the LECA? If your environment is THAT dry, then you had better do a serious watering more often, as the fine young lady from Boise recommended.

By only misting the top of the medium, rather than watering thoroughly, you could be dealing with one or both of two scenarios: it's either simply too dry, as you suggested, and/or the chemistry in the reservoir is getting "off" and becoming potentially toxic.

Chiral224 · #9 07-04-2009, 12:56 AM

No, I dont think its that dry but it has been hot. I didnt water because the water level wasnt dropping. But, hearing I should water more often then I will do that and see how she goes