Phal bellina Seedling Leaf Loss

[nheidar]

Hello all,

I recently got a compot of two Phal bellina. They were both in the same little 2 inch pot in sphag, so same conditions.

Unfortunately, one of the phals started to lose one or two of its leaves a couple days after I brought it home, but I didn't think much of it because they were bottom leaves. The way it happens is the leaf slowly starts to yellow from the tip, and it spreads until the entire leaf is dead. Today it lost its last full leaf (one remains that is about halfway mature).

Its roots are very hardy and green (which is also why I originally thought nothing of it losing leaves). There are no other signs of stress, no spots, nothing else that I can think of or see. The other phal is doing great with new roots on the way and very quick growth.

In an attempt to discover if there is an issue with the deeper roots, I unpotted it; but there is nothing wrong with it. [FYI: I put it in its own pot with hydroton in s/h -- I understand that this may cause extra stress, but I just did it anyway in hopes that something different would be a good thing, since its original conditions were not doing it any good.]

Does anyone know how I can salvage this bellina, or what is wrong with it?

These pictures were taken a few days ago, before the last yellow leaf fell off.

Thanks,

Natasha

[mayres]

What kind of air movement do you have? Small phals like this are very prone to disease issues in cool damp "dead" air. Your best bet (if you don't have it) is a nice gentle "breeze" with warm air - at least 70's and even 80's would be OK.

[nheidar]

Thanks for the quick reply. I wouldn't call it "dead" air, but I certainly didn't have a fan going nearby it -- it was near a window, which is open most of the time. When I repotted it, I moved it outside into an area that gets quite a bit of light, but no direct light. It's been breezy in VA lately, so if that was the problem, hopefully moving it outside will help.

Also, since I've had it, it's been quite warm.

Any other suggestions?

[mayres]

I don't really have any good reason to not do it, but I would be somewhat hesitant to put my phal seedlings outside - they are just too vulnerable to factors outside of my control - pests (bugs), animals, slugs, even outdoors sometimes there can be areas of little air movement, rain, etc. I like controlled "wind" (i.e. fan) that I can count on to provide movement of good velocity. It might actually just come down to the fact that I "feel" like I can "baby" them more inside? The more mature orchids/plants are more resiliant and can tolerate a little more abuse.
Another thing.....when you are speaking of seedlings you have to realize that they are all slightly different genetically. I have a current group of phal flasklings/seedlings that I've been nursing since last August. A couple are growing like there is no tomorrow, another dozen are doing well - but are definately not the top of the class, another dozen are doing OK but are small, and another dozen don't seem to want to do hardly anything at all - and they all came from the same seed pod/flask. I think it is just the way the genes happen to mix differently? No matter what you do you may not get them BOTH to grow excellently - but then again, maybe your "runt" will turn around in your warm virginia summer and end up being a charmer? Keep your fingers crossed for the emergence of a new leaf!
If the leaves you have lost are due to disease (which is not an established fact) it might be beneficial to give them a spray of a weak solution of phsyan if you had it.

[DRGUNALAN]

phals like dead and rotting wood , i tie them to rotting wood and water twice a day , benomyl antifungal once a week , fertuilizer weekly , and they are doing really fine

[digitalgate]

The potting material look old. Normally moss can last 6 months to a year. I suggest you buy new moss and pot that into two different pot since you have two seedling.

[nheidar]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

I did indeed pot them into new media in separate pots. Regarding outdoors, living in an apartment a couple stories above ground, I don't really have a slug/insect/animal problem; so I think I'll just keep a close eye on it outside with my other orchids. It seems like the problem really must be that this particular seedling is just weaker than the other one, despite having really fantastic roots. Hopefully it'll turn itself around and grow a new leaf. I will keep you all posted.

[Leathal]

My Bellina is in a combination of moss and coco husk. Seems to be doing fine, new leaves, a new bud coming on. I have it 'outside' on my lanai. It gets all the breezes from the east and south. I have another phal in the same combo and it is doing really good. Weak fertilizer everyother watering.

[patticake]

I think that you're right about it just being weaker. Let us know how it goes.

[nheidar]

just thought i'd update you all -- the weak phal bellina finally died a few days ago. BUT, the other one is going strong, so it's a bittersweet feeling. I really love this species, so obviously it would have been great if they both made it, but I can't win them all.

[mayres]

Yes I kind of know what you mean. One of my little flasklings finally "bit the dust" today too - same exact conditions as twenty thriving seedlings - still made me kind of sad to remove the pot from the group!

[digitalgate]

that the numbers of game, I normally like big numbers. I start with 40 ghost orchid , 1 year later 8 left growing new roots. You might want to get a bigger flask? Once they reach adult, it is difficult for the plant to die.