the bulbs turned yellow and soft

[jtsang]

I have the Phalaenonopsis. All other bulbs bloom fine but except for 1 bulb, it turned yellow, soft and not bloom. Why?

[kid a]

If it is a flower bud that is turning yellow it is probably just due to a change in the environment. If it is a newly acquired, or if you have had it for a while maybe it is to dry? Its called bud blast or a few other terms people use lol. Generally though its some sort of environmental issue or pest issue. Have you noticed any fine webs that look like they are from spider or any fluffy or scaly creatures living on it? As long you don't have bugs on it the plant shuold be fine. It happens to the best of us. If a lower leaf starts to turn yellow its usually normal. I wouldn't be concerned unless you see bugs or see leaves other than the lowest leaf changing colors. you can go here to see the culture on how to care for the plant AOS | Phalaenopsis hope this helps also !!!

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by jtsang

I have the Phalaenonopsis. All other bulbs bloom fine but except for 1 bulb, it turned yellow, soft and not bloom. Why?

Do you mean buds? Phals don't have bulbs.

If you mean buds, I dont' think you have anything to worry about. It sounds like one bud has blasted for whatever reason. They sometimes do. Just give your phl good care/conditions and it will be fine.

[Phalcycle]

You're using the term bulb incorrectly...
A phaleanopsis is monopidial, which means it grows from one stem, unlike other orchids like Catts, and oncidiums.
If you are talking about the flower buds turning yellow, then I think you're buds are being blasted, just as Kmarch said.
This often happens when the enviroment changes to quickly for the plant to adapt, therefore stressing it. When under stress, the plant can lose all or some of the buds. They take up lots of energy from the plant when they bloom.

[jtsang]

Yes, i mean flower buds. Sorry, I was using the wrong term.

My other concern is the leaves are soft and limpy. What can i do?

Thanks everyone.

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Do you mean buds? Phals don't have bulbs.

If you mean buds, I dont' think you have anything to worry about. It sounds like one bud has blasted for whatever reason. They sometimes do. Just give your phl good care/conditions and it will be fine.

Yes, i mean flower buds. Sorry, I was using the wrong term.

My other concern is the leaves are soft and limpy. What can i do?

Thanks everyone.

[kid a]

If the leaves are soft and limpy the plant may be a little dehydrated. A few things that might help that are increasing the humidity by using tray with pebbles and shallow water underneath the pot but not to where the pot is sitting in water, or if you have a humidifier you can place one nearby to the plant or if its warm enough and rainy outside open the window. What is it potted in? Maybe if it is in mossy looking stuff called sphagnum the roots might be getting rotten or to water soaked so the plant isn't abosorbing enough water. If you have pretty good humidity I would check the stuff its potted in. Sometimes if you buy one from a store and its potted in that sphagnum moss they pack it in really tightly to prevent the plant from loosening while shipping but it can also suffocate and rot the roots as well. If its in a bark mix as long as it doesn't look really degraded then its probably ok for a while. But if its in tightly packed sphagnum it may need repotted either into a barky mix or into to fresh sphagnum that is more loose.

[-k-]

Yeah, in complete agreement with Kid a. When leaves begin to show signs of fatigue it could be an indication something is going on with the root system. You may want to sneak a peak at the roots to determine the state of health they are in.

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by kid a

If the leaves are soft and limpy the plant may be a little dehydrated. A few things that might help that are increasing the humidity by using tray with pebbles and shallow water underneath the pot but not to where the pot is sitting in water, or if you have a humidifier you can place one nearby to the plant or if its warm enough and rainy outside open the window. What is it potted in? Maybe if it is in mossy looking stuff called sphagnum the roots might be getting rotten or to water soaked so the plant isn't abosorbing enough water. If you have pretty good humidity I would check the stuff its potted in. Sometimes if you buy one from a store and its potted in that sphagnum moss they pack it in really tightly to prevent the plant from loosening while shipping but it can also suffocate and rot the roots as well. If its in a bark mix as long as it doesn't look really degraded then its probably ok for a while. But if its in tightly packed sphagnum it may need repotted either into a barky mix or into to fresh sphagnum that is more loose.

The orchid is potted in a 6.5 inch clay flower pot with Better-Gro Orchid Moss. I put 1/3 of bark (only bark) at the bottom and the rest is the Orchid Moss. I will take some pics tonight and show you how the Orchid looks now. Attached are the pics of what I used for the plant. Thanks!

[-k-]

-Speculation here-
Without seeing the orchid you have I speculate that a 6.5 inch pot might be too big... Also with a straight bark mix lined on the bottom it may be preventing proper drainage and air circulation. Will wait to see a picture of the plant once you have it up later.

[kid a]

i think it would be ok with bark like that if the pot size is not to big. i usually put larger chunks in the bottom of the pot to help with the drainage.

[-k-]

Originally Posted by kid a

i think it would be ok with bark like that if the pot size is not to big. i usually put larger chunks in the bottom of the pot to help with the drainage.

Agreed! However smaller pieces can get stuck in the drainage hole creating a small puddle in the bottom of the pot. I've experience this myself with some repots using a finer grade mix...

[kid a]

Oh yeah good point! Rofl!

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by -K-

-Speculation here-
Without seeing the orchid you have I speculate that a 6.5 inch pot might be too big... Also with a straight bark mix lined on the bottom it may be preventing proper drainage and air circulation. Will wait to see a picture of the plant once you have it up later.

Attached are the pics... thanks!
I don't use bark mix, i only use bark.

[jtsang]

More pictures...

[katsrevenge]

Not an expert, but they look both dry at the top and rotted at the bottom.

I'm thinking not enough airflow at the bottom of the pot. Most of my phals are in bark only (same type you have!) in these pots. Got them at Lowes. I'm in SW PA and I had issues with root rot from moisture when I used moss.

The kind of pot you have, the sides are sealed so there is no air flow through the clay. You probably will have to either knock a bigger hole in the bottom and then use rock or busted up clay pot to make a nice big air pocket down there that the bark goes over or use different pots..you could even use smaller plastic pot with lots of holes melted in and just set it in those.. I can't tell if the roots are almost filling the pot or not.

I have a few bigger phals in regular clay pots, but they have huge holes in the bottom and busted pot shards making pockets of air and they are not sealed on the sides by anything.

[-k-]

Couple things; 1rst...The blooms are beautiful

Roots aren't too bad but I think by acting early here you can have them bounce back. There does however appear to be some bad roots in there, I would cut off any dead, mushy or hollow roots, then give the remaining roots a good soak (add a small amount of some superthrive if you have). Once done soaking... repot it back up but go down a pot size, perhaps a 4' pot will suffice, that will require less medium and provide more air circulation to the roots. When using sphag as a medium drainage holes are important so be sure to choose a pot that has multiple drainage holes on the bottom. Side drainage holes are good too but not entirely necessary. The sphag should be fluffy during the repot process so be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. You can certainly line the bottom with some bark as you have done prior, just make sure water drains out freely and none collects in the bottom.

While the plant is on the mend be sure to place it on a pebble tray with water to help bring up the humidity levels and continue to care for it as your environment dictates. Good luck, hope this was of some help.

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by -K-

Couple things; 1rst...The blooms are beautiful

Roots aren't too bad but I think by acting early here you can have them bounce back. There does however appear to be some bad roots in there, I would cut off any dead, mushy or hollow roots, then give the remaining roots a good soak (add a small amount of some superthrive if you have). Once done soaking... repot it back up but go down a pot size, perhaps a 4' pot will suffice, that will require less medium and provide more air circulation to the roots. When using sphag as a medium drainage holes are important so be sure to choose a pot that has multiple drainage holes on the bottom. Side drainage holes are good too but not entirely necessary. The sphag should be fluffy during the repot process so be sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible. You can certainly line the bottom with some bark as you have done prior, just make sure water drains out freely and none collects in the bottom.

While the plant is on the mend be sure to place it on a pebble tray with water to help bring up the humidity levels and continue to care for it as your environment dictates. Good luck, hope this was of some help.

Sorry, what is it meant when saying "soak" the roots - wash it ? (i know i am asking a stupid question.) Please give me more instructions Thanks again!

[-k-]

Not a stupid question at all and as a matter of fact I thought about that point afterwards... You can fill up a container of tepid water and submerge the roots into it to soak, let the roots soak for a half hour to an hour then repot it back up!

[jtsang]

Thanks, I will soak the roots tonight and will keep you posted

I have another Orchid. This Orchid has 3 stems/spikes (not sure what is the correct term to call). The middle one, the flowers are all gone. So I wonder what should I do with the middle stem/spike? I have already cut the top part and used the candle wax to cover the cut to avoid the bacteria infection (I learned it from the forum.) Attached are the pictures. Thanks!

[kid a]

Those are beautiful flowers! You can cut that whole spike off that doesn't have any flowers on it if you want. But you can also just leave so that's up to you lol! Sometimes if you leave them on as long as they are still green they have a sub spike grow off of it at a node. The node it the little point between the sections of the spike that has little piece of usually triangular in shape tissue over it. Not always but sometimes that will happen. So if you want to give it a try to see if that happens you could just leave it on for now lol! But if you would like to cut the whole thing you can do that about an inch or so from the base of the plant. I would definitely cut off any parts of the spike that turn brown though cos they won't grow a new spike out of that part

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by kid a

Those are beautiful flowers! You can cut that whole spike off that doesn't have any flowers on it if you want. But you can also just leave so that's up to you lol! Sometimes if you leave them on as long as they are still green they have a sub spike grow off of it at a node. The node it the little point between the sections of the spike that has little piece of usually triangular in shape tissue over it. Not always but sometimes that will happen. So if you want to give it a try to see if that happens you could just leave it on for now lol! But if you would like to cut the whole thing you can do that about an inch or so from the base of the plant. I would definitely cut off any parts of the spike that turn brown though cos they won't grow a new spike out of that part

I will give it a try and only cut off the brown part (when I cut it, I should cut it like triangle \ ??? (sorry... don't know how to describe Then I will apply the candle wax on the cut ends.

Thanks!

[-k-]

You can cut it at an angle, also you can sprinkle some cinnamon on the cut spike oppose to candle wax. This is not to say that candle wax isn't effective to cauterize the cut but cinnamon works just as well as it is a natural drying agent.

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by -K-

You can cut it at an angle, also you can sprinkle some cinnamon on the cut spike oppose to candle wax. This is not to say that candle wax isn't effective to cauterize the cut but cinnamon works just as well as it is a natural drying agent.

Ok, I will try to use cinnamon. Cinnamon - is it the kind that we can get it in grocery stores, not cinnmon stick, right? Sorry, I ask too many questions.

[11Orchid126]

The leaves of your plants look bleached out. What kind of light are the plants getting? Phals don't like a lot of light. They may be limp from overexposure.

[jtsang]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

The leaves of your plants look bleached out. What kind of light are the plants getting? Phals don't like a lot of light. They may be limp from overexposure.

Indirect light. I put the Orchid in the kitchen.

[-k-]

Originally Posted by jtsang

Ok, I will try to use cinnamon. Cinnamon - is it the kind that we can get it in grocery stores, not cinnmon stick, right? Sorry, I ask too many questions.

Yes plain old pure cinnamon the powder form

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

The leaves of your plants look bleached out. What kind of light are the plants getting? Phals don't like a lot of light. They may be limp from overexposure.

I had noticed this however a camera flash can produce similar effects but a very valid point and one worth asking about... good call.