Hello from a wet and cold Hampshire

[fiona]

Hi,
I am new to the wonderful world of orchids. I have been a compulsive purchaser of phalaenopsis for about 10 months and have about 20 so far! As yet I have not killed any but I can see a few spots and yellow leaves developing I am glad to see there are other people out there who have been bitten by the bug!! My husband thinks I am insane!!

[mayres]

Welcome Fiona - two phals per month sounds pretty reasonable to me! Check this thread to learn more about phals.....Grow Phals like the Pros!

[Aniko]

Welcome Fiona ! A little patience and your husband will catch the fever.
My husband has already started to show the symptoms...
Aniko.

[fiona]

Thanks for the link. There is so much to learn and it looks like I have been doing a lot of things wrong! My night temperature during winter has been well below the recommended level. This might explain yellowing leaves!

[d.zaher]

Hi Fiona, I've also just joined this forum! And I have to say so far so good, tons of info and interesting views !

Good luck with your orchids !

Damien

By the way I like the pict of your dog !

[pikevi]

Welcome to the forum Fiona.

I am a new member too. I have gathered more knowledge about orchids in the past 6 days than in the past 6 months!

And welcome to the exclusive club: my wife thinks I am crazy too (luckily my M-I-L is my ally).

Best of luck .

[Sharyn]

Fiona: Phals. like medium light and to be kept moist. They are very forgiving orchids as far as their cultural reqiuirments. Yellowing of leaves is a sign of trouble or old age. The black spots may also represent bacterial or fungal disease. Since I've only been growing Phals. for 1 1/2 years, I haven't seen this happen. There are many with more experience on our forum to help you out, but I suggest you review Mike's link and check out your lighting and watering techniques. Cynthia's skewer method helps immensely to prevent overwatering. As far as the black spots, could be sunburn or bacteria/fungal problem. Good luck.
Skewer use for watering of orchids
http://orchidsusa.com/9Cultural.htm#...s-Phalaenopsis

[fiona]

Thank you very much for the articles Sharyn, they have been very helpful! I now think I have a fluctuating temperature problem after reading these. Do you know how to provide adequate heat on windowsills? It is going to cost a fortune to keep my heating on all night and during the day when I'm at work. I have more plants arriving next week and I really want them to be well!!! I don't think I have been overwatering because I always make sure the pots are dry, however I will now try the skewer technique just to be safe.

[Sharyn]

Fiona: I don't know how cold it is where you're at. Recently, our weather was very cold. Sometimes -10F at night and only up to 4F or 5F during the day. The temperature on my windowsill at night was 56F and the window had ice. The daytime indoor temperatures were up & down all day due to the cold. I only removed the Phals. from windowsills for a few nights when temperatures were below zero. My daytime temps. were between 67-72 and I had to constantly change the thermostat to be comfortable. The Phals. are fine and still in bloom. I only lost buds on a small Phal. that was in another room! So the cold didn't hurt mine, but I don't know how cold you're talking about.

Can't suggest a heater, as I don't use one, just forced air heat. I also might be reluctant to leave any heater going while away at work. I'm sure someone here on the forum can come up with some ideas. I wonder if those electric seed warmer mats might be an option?

[Anton]

Ducted reverse cycle air conditionng is what we have here in Oz. Cool in summer, warm in the winter. My place says around 70F all year round.

Also some people just have ducted gas heating to warm the house in winter.

P.S. for Sharyn : Lawns are green again.......thank you .....

[kmarch]

Hey fiona,

I can happily report that you're no where NEAR insane. You can even tell your husband we all said so.

Happy Growing!

[pikevi]

Thanks for rubbing it in, Anton!!( just kidding)

We are still at -15 to -20C range, day or night.

BTW,what "colour" is green?

[fiona]

Thanks guys for the advice, this site is absolutely brilliant! It is so good to discuss the reality of problems that occur in real situations from all over the globe! So, I now know it is not the temperature and most likely my strict once a week watering regime that is to blame. However I have just noticed that three leaves from different plants have started to split up the middle and I have wierd raised little lines on the surface of quite a number of leaves. I think I am cursed!!
Regards,
Fiona

[pikevi]

Hi Fiona,

I bought a plant with such a 'gash' sometime ago. The orchid has put out two more leaves and they seem quite normal and the gash showed no ill-effects on the plant.

It could be something else altogether so I am attaching a photo for comparison.

Don't feel down. I am sure it is nothing or , at least ,treatable.

Good luck

[fiona]

Thanks for the comparison photo. The split on my leaves goes right up the centre veign, almost like it wants to split in half and they are very fine. I have not mastered attaching photos yet. I will have a go later! I'm glad your leaves were ok!

[Anton]

Pikevi, it is good to know that you have an understanding of the Queeen's English !

I have a Phal which started to split it's newest leaf when it was just about 1/4 inch long and it continued up until now when it is about 3 1/2 inches long (in 2 weeks). Although it is split, it still grows and looks happy.

I'll post a picture tonight after I get home. It's still a lovely green "COLOUR".

[pikevi]

Laughed 'til my sides split!

[Anton]

Here's my Phal with the split leaf.

It started soon after it's first growth spurt, just seemed like it was trying to go one way but couldn't, and split itself in the effort.

PS...Notice the skewer Cynthia ?
Something I picked up here on the Forum, Newbies.