hi i am new but have a?

[justloveorchids]

I have 4 Phalenopsis orchids plus 2 others not yet identified

all have been growing and flowering happily on my slightly shaded South Facing Window in the UK

However 2 of the phalenopsis are in quite small pots 3inch ones and maybe that is why the leaves are turning yellow
The centre new leaf just appearing seems to be fine

Is it just a case of needing feeding or should i repot ?

Can anyone recomend a good site with info on this aspect please

[tom499]

if its an outer leaf it could well just be dying off. My phals will occasionally lose a leaf.

also, i do not repot my orchids often, most have roots coming out the pot, but they grow alot and flower fine.

When i 1st started growing orchids, i used to panic alot over things like this there are quite a few posts i have made over the last few weeks where i've dispaired over weird spots etc. i often find its best to see how it goes, as long as all the leaves arent turning yellow and dying it will be fine.

but i have found this article:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-Are-My...low?&id=475893

[fred]

hi and welcome to the forum.
The Members here are a great bunch and will help you with your orchids.
As we have lots of members with knowlage on and about all orchids.
I am not to sure with Phaly,s.
Myself I would repot to the next size up pot.
I know the members will help you.
happy chatting

[Sharyn]

Hi & welcome to the forum. I have quite a few phals. They're all in 4" plastic pots. Even when repotting, I sterilize the 4" pot and reuse it with fresh medium. I use a mixture of fine or medium fir bark, perlite, and a little charcoal (if I have some). Everyone seems to have their own favorite mix. Fertilize weakly weekly with a balanced fertilizer and try out Cynthia's skewer method for watering (link below) - the practice will keep you from overwatering (which also may cause yellow leaves).

The Phals. can be repotted almost anytime, and it sounds like yours are in growth right now with the new leaf coming out, so would be a good time to repot soon if you feel the need to do so.

This forum is full of experienced orchid enthusiasts who will be happy to help you. Be sure to update your profile and put in your geographical area so others can help you based on your growing temperatures and conditions.

Your yellow leaf may just be an old leaf, or could be caused by over/under watering, disease, etc. Can you post some pictures?

Skewer use for watering of orchids

[justloveorchids]

thanks ......do not think they have been over or underwatered might have got a little cold but the other 2 larger phals are in full flower
i need to feed them though and maybe because the smaller phals are in small pots they are in more need of food

The roots on all the phals are plentiful and green /silver green

Need to work out the genus of my other orchid though

As i live in the South of England can others tell me which ones will grow happily
i also have a conservatory but it does get very hot in summer as its south facing so i have kept all my orchids together on one windowsill in a room that stays around 60degrees all year

[mayres]

When did you originally purchase your smaller plants in flower? This would be the time of year that most of your phals would be blooming, but if purchased in bloom later in the year they can sometimes skip a season before getting in synch with the rest of your plants. Feeding should make no difference small or large pot. Temperature-wise - your phals will be happiest if you can keep them on the warm side. Commercial growers trying to maximize growth will keep them in the 80-92 degree range. This is obviously warm for us, but highlights why they tend to stall out (regarding growth) when some of us tend to run them down to the 50's at night. They will not die, but will not grow much either if cool. Phals in small pots is a good idea as when too large root rot issues are more prone to be an issue - so go as small as you can tease all those roots into. Good luck and enjoy! mike

[justloveorchids]

will need to look up receipts but i am sure one of the bigger phals was purchased later and thats come back into flower

the only difference is the stem on the bigger ones did not die back far wheras on the smaller ones the stem died right back so they need to produce a new flower stem

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Loosing leaves is either normal, they will grow a leaf and lose a leaf, or it is caused my insect damage or sun/cold burn. They almost never lose leaves from lack of food/fertilizer and never from being under potted.