Phal in S/H

[MT-Phal]

Hey Guys,

It's been a long time. Well, my phal in s/h odyssey continues! So this plant has been in s/h for a while now. No new leaf growth for almost sixth months now, but current leaves holding steady. Roots were growing just fine into the medium and things seemed fine. However, some of the roots closest to the resevoir just started turning brown and I can't figure out why...



I water twice a day, flushing, with MSU fertilizer at 50ppm. Any ideas? Things were fine when I WASN'T using fertilizer for about a month b/c a lack of a container to hold it, browning started when I started fertilizing again. Could be coincidence.

Phal stays on a heating pad 24/7. Physan used every 5 weeks, and flushed thoroughly afterwards with clean water.

Unsure of what the pH is. I did just move... could it be an issue with new / different water?

Also, only parts of roots affected are the parts that are against the plastic. The root on the bottom right seems fine, but the mid section that rests against the plastic looks as if it is turning brown as well... albeit a slower rate.

(Roots in question are the two on the left, the root above which is brown and black I'm guess was poisoned when I used physan on a bi-monthly basis months ago.)

[Phalguy]

Why do you water twice a day?

[zxyqu]

Agreed, twice a day is way in excess, and though I guess in an S/H container you can't drown the roots, those closest to the reservoir may not like it. This could explain the brown, but I dont really think so. I'm a bit stumped

[MT-Phal]

Supposedly one can water to their hearts delight in s/h. I do it bc my apartment doesn't have the humidity to keep the top roots moist.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by MT-Phal

Supposedly one can water to their hearts delight in s/h. I do it bc my apartment doesn't have the humidity to keep the top roots moist.

If I watered twice per day due to humidity issues I probably would not use the fertilizer with every watering.
I think you already know this may be the issue....

Other than that, although watering twice per day is "a lot"...with s/h it should not matter as long as water is not on the leaves, in the crown, and the plant is not cool and damp.

[shadytrake]

I only water my s/h phals when the wicking is near end (I.e. The reservoir is close to empty) and I don't have high humidity except in summer.

I don't know why you are getting brown. Maybe lessen the fertilizer for awhile and see if it helps.

[Ray]

Watering and fertilizing frequency probably has no role in the issue, especially as dilute as MT-Phal is applying it - unless the solution is somehow damaging.

Unless your home is cold, I don't think I'd keep the plants on the heat mat constantly, but I'm leaning toward some sort of chemical issue.

Where do you live, what is your water supply, and which MSU formula are you using?

[Tindomul]

I would like to ask a question. Could the air circulation in the pot be improved if the holes were bigger. Obviously their size has not mattered in the past, but maybe now that conditions have changed?????

[MT-Phal]

Originally Posted by Ray

Watering and fertilizing frequency probably has no role in the issue, especially as dilute as MT-Phal is applying it - unless the solution is somehow damaging.

Unless your home is cold, I don't think I'd keep the plants on the heat mat constantly, but I'm leaning toward some sort of chemical issue.

Where do you live, what is your water supply, and which MSU formula are you using?

I live in Sherman Oaks, CA. I use tap water, and water with the MSU formula for tap.

[Ray]

Increasing the hole size will only make "filling the pot rapidly to the top" more difficult, and probably would not cause an appreciable change in air flow.

Solution quality is not likely the issue.

How about temperatures and evaporation rate? Any changes there?