Phal with wrinkled leaves

[vcuchick]

One of my Phals I potted about 3 months back in S/H got a bad case of root rot and after some careful nursing it's back on the mend and even setting a spike!

Here's my question though- during the rough month or so of rehabing the plant back from the brink, it lost 2 out of the five large leaves. Of the remaining 3, 1 is split (from obvious lack o' water from no roots) and 1 leaf is very wrinkled and floppy.

the plant is growing new roots to beat the band and is even got a good looking spike going, but I'm wondering about the sad, wrinkled, flacid leaf. Can these bounce back on Phals? Like a pseudobulb on an Oncidium? Or is it a case of once sad, forever sad? I realize the split leaf can't be fixed- but what about wrinkled leaves? (looks like rough elephant skin with some moisture in the leaf and not completely dried out.)

I probably won't get new leafage this year, seeing as it's already so late in the growing season, but I would love any suggestions on how to make my Phal leaves happy again...it really is kinda sad looking.

(here's some growing info- Small 4" NOID Phal in S/H, eastern indoor window, sitting in nursery tray with bottom heating mat for root zone heat. Small fan in above shelf providing soft constant air movement 24/7. watered with full flush ever 48-72 hours with top offs in between- I never let the reservoir water get below the dranage holes.)

All suggestions or hints/tips would be appreciated! thanks

[orchidlover55]

Anytime I have ever had my leaves to wrinkle on my Phals was because I wasn't watering them enough. I know my 4" pots dry out sooner than my 6" pots. I was wondering what you meant by a top off , watering in between. I have had my phals to come back after I started watering them more.

[lmartiny]

With the new root growth it sounds like your plant is definately on the rebound. Your floppy leaf and your split leaf may not totally perk up. But as long as they are healthy keep em going. And you will get some new leaf growth eventually. The others will drop off when they are spent.

[mehitabel]

Yes they can rehydrate. I have definitely had this happen to two different phals this summer. As one of the posters said, it doesn't always happen, but it definitely can. It's exciting to see! With all those new roots, you have a good chance.

In Bob Gordon's *Survey*, one of the growers recommends propping up a wilted leaf with cotton (I use those tiny two inch net pots put underneath). You could probably use anything that won't rip the leaf up. I guess that's supposed to help them rehydrate in a more upright position. So, propping them up, then spraying the leaves a couple of times a day with water with a little superthrive in it. Wouldn't hurt.

PS the heat mat was a stroke of genius