Is this something I should be very concerned with?

[pinky]

I bought 3 phals all around the same time. Two of them seem to be getting floppy leaves. I thought I was doing everything right but they dont seem to be liking me =[ The leaves on all the plants seemed to be nice and firm (or even stiff) when I purchased them) They are now floppy and easily bendable. I know this cant be good =[

Would repotting them cause this? B/c I repotted all of them due to the fact that they were living in a mess of gnat infested soggy moss. They have been replanted into a bark mixture.
Or could it be because of decreased light? For the last 2 weeks the skies have been grey and overcast. I have know system for artificial light.
I have been careful not to overwater, by using the skewer method, and the humidity level in my room ranges from 60-75% usually.

What else could cause the leaves to loose their firmness? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

(btw-1 plant that has lost its firmness is a very dark green, darker than the others...thought this last tidbit might be helpful)

[-k-]

Based on your last bit of info regarding the dark leaves, could be a light issue,
what direction do your plants face and how close to the window are they?

[flowerpower]

My orchids do this too, so I am very interested to see what replies you get! They do not flop all the way down but they are just not quite as "stiff" as they were when I bought them. I put it down to my conservative watering habits.

New bark is a lot dryer than older bark and water runs off it. Also, I believe a lot of ex-sphag orchids do find the transition to bark tough.

I also heard that Epsom salts can help this problem and stiffen the leaves. This is what I plan to try next.

I would try watering a day early, epsom salts or increase the light and humidity around your orchids. Make sure they are nice and warm.

[Phalcycle]

You mentioned you are very careful not to over-water them...
Are you sure you're not under-watering them?
I am assuming you repotted your phals into a bark mixture, so in Bark, they are going to need more water than in S. Moss.
Floppy leaves are often indicators that the plant is dehydrated.

[dounoharm]

i would agree that perhaps they are under watered....floppy leaves indicates a lack of water..

[11Orchid126]

New bark is a lot dryer than older bark and water runs off it.

Flowerpower, new bark must be soaked for several hours before using. The core of the bark is so bone dry that the soaking is needed to condition the bark to absorb water, otherwise the water just runs off of the outer shell.

In addition, as -K- says, this could also be a light issue.

[E-Jag]

I don't mean to be argumentative, nor do I have a quarrel with anything that has been said, but bark really doesn't have to be soaked before use; if it isn't, the orchid will simply have to be watered a little more often until it does begin to absorb water. Once it has been conditioned to accept water, the process of rot has jusr begun.

[kmarch]

What were the roots like when you repotted?

[Brooke]

I always repot with any dry chunky media (not dry sphag) because it is easy to jiggle the pot and get the media to fall into place instead of getting hung up on the other chunks.

After you are finished, soak the entire pot in a container of water for several hours, even over night. Then water as needed.

Brooke

[flowerpower]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

Flowerpower, new bark must be soaked for several hours before using. The core of the bark is so bone dry that the soaking is needed to condition the bark to absorb water, otherwise the water just runs off of the outer shell.

In addition, as -K- says, this could also be a light issue.

Even after it has been soaked it's still not as absorbant as older media, and soaked or not it is going to be a culture shock for a Phal used to sphagnum moss.

[pinky]

The plants are next to an east facing window. I did soak the bark for atleast 6 hrs before replanting them. They are not really close to the window (indirect sunlight) The room is not super bright. I dont think I underwater, as I do not wait for the skewers to be bone dry before watering. The roots on the plant w/ the dark leaves were not anything amazing. There were not as many healthy roots as the other 2, but there were some. Could it be that it needed a smaller pot when I repotted? it is in a 4 inch pot, but it probably could have fit in a 3 inch pot easily(i just didnt have a 3 inch at the time)

[-k-]

If the east window provides you with some direct morning sun with indirect afternoon light it should be ok to place the plant a bit closer to the window if possible. You just want to avoid prolonged periods of sun exposure to avoid sun burn....

As others have eluded too and as I have learned, sometimes when a phal is re-potted into bark from a sphag medium the transition can be a bit stressful on the plant. Based on the info you have provided I think what you have going on here is a culmination of issues... new potting medium, low light and few viable roots.

Is the plant in a clear pot, if so can you see the roots, do they still look healthy and green? My thought would be if they do not look so good like their struggling in the medium it may require a smaller pot size. Perhaps mix in a small amount of sphag to help retain some additional moisture; this may help reduce any stress on the few remaining roots.

If you have some superthrive on hand, occasional use as directed can also help alleviate stress on the plant and help to encourage new growth, and spring weather is on your side!

[-k-]

I would also like to add that I’ve purchased some phals in the past that were just D.O.A. They either had few roots, floppy leaves and I tried every trick in the book to get the plant to live, but their fate was sealed even before I got them in the door. Just my personal experience, therefore I have backed off buying “rescue” plants, unless I really feel they can be genuinely “rescued”!

[pinky]

Originally Posted by -K-

Is the plant in a clear pot, if so can you see the roots, do they still look healthy and green? My thought would be if they do not look so good like their struggling in the medium it may require a smaller pot size. Perhaps mix in a small amount of sphag to help retain some additional moisture; this may help reduce any stress on the few remaining roots.

Yes the plant is in a clear pot, and now that I really look at it, there are very few roots. I think you are right and it is in too big of a pot. But would repotting it again into a smaller pot stress it out even more?

[-k-]

Well without actually seeing a picture of the plant if it were me I would want check the roots even though it was just repotted. It probably can’t really get any worse especially if the problems occurred after the initial repot. I would want to see if the remaining roots are rotting away too as well as check the crown...

If the remaining roots are ok, mix up a weak solution of superthrive and briefly soak the plant, and repot into the smallest pot you can find that will accommodate the roots for a tight fit, maybe include a few stands of sphag to help retain some moisture.

Ideally when repotting a phal you should be able to gently lift the phal in the pot without it becoming loose or falling out. However in your case with so few roots this may not be possible and an anchor may be needed to keep the plant stable.

Once potted up keep up with the skewer method, give the plant a bit more light if possible and keep your fingers crossed! If it continues to go down hill don’t be too hard on yourself, these things happen from time to time. Phals seem to be very hardy and have a strong will to survive, it may take some time but the potential is there!

[pinky]

[QUOTE=-K-;201951]Well without actually seeing a picture of the plant if it were me I would want check the roots even though it was just repotted. It probably can’t really get any worse especially if the problems occurred after the initial repot. I would want to see if the remaining roots are rotting away too as well as check the crown...
QUOTE]

thanks for all your help! I am going to take the plant out of the pot tomorrow and check it out. However, I do not have any superthrive on hand. I have read that soaking the plant in sugar water will help. Do you recommend this? I will be sure to take pics of it unpotted and post them on here.

btw, K I think I posted a question concerning the repotting of this same phal and you replied and thought the pot was too big. lol i should have listened to you then!

[purplegirl]

Pinky, Oh, I think I've had this happen to me before, and both times I had bought the new Orks during cold times, which happen a lot in my neck o the woods. Are those leaves kind of spongy when you feel them? At the time, I thought a draft might've gotten to them, though heaven knows I tried to protect them.

[pinky]

here are pics of it unpotted. It looks terrible compared to when I originally repotted it two weeks ago. Are any of these roots ok? And is that dark area near the base rot? if so, how do I rescue this phal??

[-k-]

Hello Pinky!
Well, roots are not looking too good, but I think we expected that, are any of them still firm? I see a little bit of green on one of them I think?

As for the crown, I see what you’re saying about the black part, is it sunken in almost like it’s hollowed out a bit?

No pun intended… lol… but what’s the pink thing by the roots in the picture, it’s difficult to determine from my vantage point?

Well, I think the next best step would be to remove any additional rotted roots while trying to salvage any of the green healthy parts that remain.
Not sure about the sugar water, though it seems others have had luck with this technique, you can do a search in the forum for the thread below, this may help.
“ Sticky: Reviving a Rootless Phal -Brooke –

I’ve had luck with rootless phals in the past by potting them in mostly sphag with a small amount of bark, about 98% sphag 2% bark in the tiniest pot I could find, I think it’s 2”. I placed a small stake to help hold the plant in place. I keep the sphag moist at all times, not drenched but moist. After I placed them in a well lighted area (indirect sun) crossed my fingers and waited! It took many… many months before I saw any progress so it’s a game of patience! The old leaves eventually fell and new ones took there place!

Depending on the crown problem / viable remaining roots, you maybe able to give this a try, but be sure the crown is above the medium and not in the medium to avoid additional rot.
I just hope the crown is not toasted already, but will wait to hear back from you on its condition.

Def...take a look around the forum, there is alot of info on reviving plants, roots and other methods used by members here!

Unfortunately these things happen to everyone at some point, and there are variation’s to the techniques others have used to revive plants. Your growing condition’s also plays a role and it’s also a game of luck in my opinion. You could treat the plant the same way others have with a completely different outcome.

Worst case scenario is the crown is toast and another “new Phal” is in your future!