help phals are dying!

[rockinvixen]

does anyone know what it means when one leaf is standing straight up and all the others are looking floppy or wilted? I have been having this problem for a while and don't know how to correct it. I am losing plants!

[PhalNewbie89]

Might be an issue with watering, post 5 times so that you can add pictures. It would be more helpful for us to see it,a nd welcome to the site..you have come to the right place

[rockinvixen]

thank you I have been trying to grow orchids on my own for a while now and am losing hope.

[psyc1210]

Are the leaves firm, or wrinkled?

[PhalNewbie89]

This site will really help you out, there are lots of people here with great information. I just got into orchids a month or so ago myself but I feel like I have gotten great information here that will help me keep my plants alive.

[CharliesAngel51]

Don't give up. It is a great hobby, er addiction. Well whatever you call it, don't give up. Post some picture when you have made 5 posts and let someone help you. That is what this forum is all about, helping each other.

[rockinvixen]

so I have to post 5 times before being allowed to post photos?

[rockinvixen]

one on the plant is firm and shiny, all of the others are floppy and kind of wilted looking

[rockinvixen]

the wrinkled/wilted looking leaves are also yellow and dying after a time.

[PhalNewbie89]

Are the wrinkled yellow ones on the bottom? How many healthy ones do you hav? Maybe the yellow ones are just the oldest ones

[rockinvixen]

I posted pictures above, maybe this will help better as you suggested.

[psyc1210]

You may want to check the roots on your Phals to see how the roots look.

[rockinvixen]

what should I do if they look bad? I've already cut back some of the roots that were dead or dried up not too long ago

[syndywindy]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Do the pots you have your orchids in have any drainage? If not, maybe you're drowning the plants. Orchids need good drainage and also good air flow through the medium. Its hard to tell from your pictures if the pots have drainage. Even if the pots have one hole, you probably want to repot into plastic pots with more drainage openings. check the roots, are they green or white and nice and plump/ Or are they black, brown or mushy? If you have rotted roots, you will want to remove those, sprinkle the remaining cut end with cinnamon which is a good anti bacterial agent. When you repot, repot with a good bark mixture you have soaked for at least 24 hours. If what I mentioned is the case, I would not water for a bit. I am in the process of nursing a friends phal after she overwatered it. It had no good roots left. After a month of babying, it now has a new 1/2" root and a new leaf forming. You can do it. but need more info as to the pot, the medium you have them in, etc.

[rockinvixen]

I really want to save my plants, over the last year or so I've lost a few due to various reasons, but did not have access to others who have more knowledge than me. If its possible I don't want to lose anymore orchids for a long time to come.

[norris]

Hi and welcome I second the advice on checking the roots, any that are rotting, soft, and mushy should be cut off. Make sure the plant is in a pot that drains well, and is never sitting in standing water for more that the time to get hydrated, a few hours at most. Here is some helpful info for you. AOS | Phalaenopsis

[rockinvixen]

The one in the brown pot has a hole in the bottom. I've not changed the medium from the store on this one as is usually the case except to add some (very little) bark to the top. The two plants on this one are encased in plastic within the main pot itself.

The phal in the white pot is with no drain holes but I have been very careful in watering it to make sure that it doesn't get overwatered. Also I have it in a orchid mix bought in the store with some bark added for extra moisture because I live in a very dry environment.

The plants were all doing well up until about a month ago then I started losing all of them this way. I've lost three already.

[orchidea]

It's not only the water that orchids need. They grow on trees in the wild and their roots need a lot of air. You depriving them of air as I see it. Sorry, but you should repot as some other people are saying here..... Good luck!!!!!
I am spending all my time outside the office (where I work) on orchids in the last four month. I managed to save few.......... Don't loose hope. It might look bad at first, but just try everything these extra nice people here on forum (not me, I am relativly new) are telling you to do.....

[PhalNewbie89]

Also you said that you had some that have not been changed since you bought them. You never know what the big stores have shoved down in around those roots. You might have a big ball of moss that is wrapped all around your roots. Most stores do not take good care of their chids so you definately want to check the roots of the ones you have never repotted.

[rockinvixen]

thank you all for the good info, I will check them all. I'm not sure what to do with the one in the white pot, since its been good for over a year but I will check that one too.

[CharliesAngel51]

If the one in the white pot is potted directly in the pot with no drainage holes it needs to be re potted. Even if it seems to be doing well, it will eventually die if there is no drainage holes. If you like the looks of the white pot, try to find a pot that will fit into it and put your orchid in it. Put some gravel in the bottom of the white pot so it raises the other pot up and lets air circulate around the bottom. Take your orchid out of the white pot to water and drain it well before replacing it. It doesn't have to be a fancy pot. If you have a deli container that will fit you can use that. Make holes in the bottom and around the sides near the bottom with a soldering iron or the tip of a hot glue gun. The more holes the better.

[rockinvixen]

Ok, so I've looked at one in the brown pot, all of the roots save one short one are mushy, black or falling off due to moss around the roots. I have cut most of these off, and put them in a medium that is fairly soaked. I will see if I can save it, don't know though it looks like a goner.

[mehitabel]

I believe you are killing your phals because you are treating them like houseplants. Orchids have different roots than houseplants, specialized to get moisture and nutrients from air. Do yourself a favor and download and print the culture notes from the AOS site. Another poster gave you the url

I agree with the other posters, and these are important --

1. you need to de-pot and check the roots. The wilty leaves are a sign that the phal is not getting enough water-- BUT that is very likely because the roots are rotted. No roots = no water.

2. you MUST keep orchids in pots with drainage holes, preferably lots of drainage holes. This supplies air to the roots, and air at the roots is a must for phals. If you like the white pot, use it as a cachepot. If you use plastic pots, burn extra holes into the bottom of the pot with a sauldering iron. I burn as many holes in the bottom of the pot as I can fit in.

3. Cut off any brown, mushy roots. Keep any that are green or white. Then repot into the smallest pot that will fit the roots, using bark that has been soaked for 24 hours.

But let me add these suggestions to what's already been said:

A. Your orchids will benefit from soaking it, including *the leaves* in a solution of 2 Tbsp sugar and 1/2 tsp Superthrive. This will help rehydrate the leaves (like soaking wilted veggies crisps them up). Soak for several hours or overnight.

B. If you have any root hormone powder, use it. It works.

C. After you repot your phal, put plastic baggies over the wilty leaves, or put it into a humidity dome such as people use for seedlings. This is to keep the humidity up while new roots are forming. I use one baggie on each side, leaving the crown open. This can help save the leaves, and more leaves = more strength for your phal to recover. Leave these on for about 6 weeks.

D. Invest in a small bottle of Superthrive. This contains a rooting hormone in liquid form. Use it for your soak, and use it in your watering water until the phal is established again.

Good luck.

[rockinvixen]

Hi,

Thank you for the step by step instructions on how to do this, it is really helpful. would superthrive or roothormone be available at most nurseries?

[mehitabel]

Hi, vixen. You can usually get powdered root hormone and superthrive at Home Depot. Each is about $7 or $8, but if budget requires you to choose, I'd say choose the Superthrive because it's more useful all around: you can use it for the soak -- some will be taken in thru the leaves, and you can use it for watering all thru the recovery period.

You can also mist the leaves with a dilute solution once or twice a dayfor the first few days. Just loosen the baggie, then re-attach. Be sure to mist under the leaves -- they can take in more water/hormone underneath.

[rockinvixen]

again thank you, I will certainly try this and hope that I can save them.

[sunshine]

I agree with mehitable. Read the culture sheets on what your phal requires. This is very important to the success of your chids.

Orchid Care for Phalenonopis & Paphiopedilum Orchids

AOS | Members Only Area

This thread is excellent Very easy to follow.

http://www.orchidgeeks.com/forum/new...laenopsis.html

[orchidlover55]

I agree with Mehitabel, it sounds like they are not getting enough water but as far as I can see it does look like you have them in the wrong pot and it is just too hard to be able to tell whether it needs water or not. So I would take it out of that pot cut off the rotten roots, get me some new bark soak it for 24 hours then put it in the new pot and new mixture. If it doesn't have many roots on it when you plant it in the new pot be sure NOT to let it dry out completely but just don't let it stand in water. Good Luck

[rockinvixen]

Hi,

I have repotted all of the orchids that were looking bad, so far they are looking ok. I really hope they make it. Also, I like your saying that "you can't pass the beauty of an Orchid and not stop and buy it." That is so true! it is definitely an addiction!

[rockinvixen]

Hi,

I looked at your pics and instructions on re-potting and it has been very helpful and interesting. I didn't know there was that much involved originally, so this is all very good to know. Its makes me glad that I finally reached out for help on how to care for my Orchids, I think they will do a lot better in the future.

Thank you,
Holly