Need Help with Phal

[mbailey]

I purchased 2 orchids in Feb. this year and I thought things were going pretty well untill now. The first purchased was a Phal in early Feb. It immediatly dropped one leaf within the first 2 weeks and then another about a week later. Now I have another that is about ready to fall and now I am concerned, as i will only have 3 leaves left. It is planted in moss and I water about every 2-3 weeks as the planting media stays fairly wet. I use the recommended orchid fert everytime I water. I was misting it every night, but I now believe that was not good, this should have been done in the morning. The plant is placed in the north window and I think it gets a fair amount of light, maybe it does not? I have a ceiling fan in the location that I am now leaving on for better air circulation...I began this within the last week or so. The second orchid is a "dancing dolls" not sure about the formal name, but it seems to be doing well at the moment, all the buds have opened and none have died. I will post some pics soon, maybe will help. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks for your help!!!

[digitalgate]

it would be good for you to update your profile, as different area would have different
advise.
Your plant's root look good. No rotting taking place . I suspect you did not give it enough
light. But do not put it under direct sun light.

[dipasquo]

Above the medium, at least, those roots look nice and plump. The dropping leaves could be an unfortunate consequence of your orchid having a hard time adjusting to its new home and conditions.

You're right, though, conventional wisdom is to water (mist, too, I assume) in the morning so that the plant has plenty of time to dry off before night, otherwise you risk crown rot in a Phal. I once saw a sign posted by an orchid vendor "Whatever you do, do it before noon."

[articuno75]

By what I can see your aerial roots look great. Tell me the leaves that were lost, were they on the bottom, or lower level of the leaves? By what I can tell it looks like just losing older leaves. I'd like to see other members' thoughts in on this. Misting is fine, as long as it's done early in the morning. Be sure that you have air circulation.

[norris]

I like to get my Phalaenopsis out of moss, and into bark as soon as I can. A lot of times the roots above the moss look ok, but under the moss is a different story, a mushy rotting mess Other than not watering in the evening and giving more light, such as an east window, I think it looks good for you.

[mbailey]

Thanks for all of you help so far, the first leaf that fell was second from the bottom, then the other side, the bottom leaf, and now the bottom leaf again. I have a few more questions, before I will feel ok about this plant.

Would you think this will be the last leaf for awhile? When should I start to see new leaves beginning to grow? With all of the leaves that have dropped, will it flower again next year on schedule? One last question, should I encourage a second round of flowering, or will it be best to not do that this year and just cut the stem down?

[mayres]

How much light is this plant getting? Any direct sunlight hitting the leaves? If the leaves get warm to the touch from direct sunlight this can happen. NO DIRECT SUN (technically if you were far enough from the windows a little early or late would not hurt, but I would take precautions at this point. If you can get control of the plant yes it could spike on schedule this later fall early winter. Since your plant seems to be struggling I would cut the spike down when it is done flowering and let it concentrate on rebuilding itself - leaves and roots.

[11Orchid126]

A north window is not enough light for a phal. We don't know what section of the country, or even what country, you live in, therefore we cannot offer any more advice as to where to put the phal.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

A north window is not enough light for a phal. We don't know what section of the country, or even what country, you live in, therefore we cannot offer any more advice as to where to put the phal.

How can we say for certain that a north window is not enough light if we don't know their geographical location? Here in Australia, a north window will fry an orchid in the summer. It's the equivalent of a south window in Florida or Texas.

[mbailey]

I live in Missouri, USA. The other window I could use would be in th family room where there are south windows. If I put it in those windows, how far should the Phal sit from it. I also own a "dancing dolls" where should it be placed?

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by mbailey

I live in Missouri, USA....south windows....how far should the Phal sit from it.

No particular distance, it could be beside the window or even in it if you have some sort of sheer curtain just so the phal gets no direct sunlight.

[mbailey]

Originally Posted by kmarch

No particular distance, it could be beside the window or even in it if you have some sort of sheer curtain just so the phal gets no direct sunlight.

OK, but how is that different than the north window, it almost apppears that sitting directly in the north window it gets more light than to the side of the window? I am not arguing, I just want to understand.

[BunnytheOrchid]

Hi mbailey,
I am no phal expert, but of my orchid experience most of it comes from phals. I wouldn't get too swept up in north, south, etc labels for windows and light. I use north light and southern light as guides for how strong some sun is in one window, and how strong it is in another. Bottom line is, phals need light but not too much and never direct. That may sound a little vague, so I apologize But as best you can, try to provide a few hours of solid, indirect bright light. If that involves a north window, ok. If its a south one with a diffuser of sorts like a curtain or screen, go for that. Each phal is different, and whatever situation/window/light you think is best, try that. If it doesn't work, then see what you can change to accommodate the plant. Good luck! We're here to help you!

[digitalgate]

just get a light meter. It take out the guess work.