Wrinkled soft leaves on flowered-out Phals?

[bellc]

I have three Phals, all purchased at the same location, same time, in plastic orchid pots inside decorative container. One yellow-flowered Phal has been super healthy from the get-go. While the flowers on my other two Phals have gradually run their course and died (and I've cut back their stems), the yellow-flowered Phal remains remarkably strong.

My problem is the remaining two Phals. Both developed wrinkly, soft leaves (one is even turning a lighter green) after the flowers died off. I have watered all three the same and kept them in the same bathroom location in Phoenix, Arizona. Is it ever considered normal for leaves to look this way after a very heavy flowering?

Both Phals with the wrinkled, soft leaves had multiple spikes and tons of flowers and were fine up until the flowers died. The roots on one of the Phal in a plastic pot appear a healthy color green. I cannot tell with the other Phal because I had to repot it during the flowering period and did so into a terra cotta orchid pot.

Now I don't know whether to keep them or how to care for them. I have two orchid books, but I just can't seem to find my answer there?! Any help appreciated.

[Willc73]

I also seem to have that, unfortunatly I am a newbie also and can't help. One that did that died.

[jerrymeola]

Usually when Phal leaves become limp I think of root problems, but since you say the roots look a healthy green (they would be soft transparent mush if bad), then you may just have over stressed the plant by flowering so long.

Give it a place to recover. In a couple of months you should have good new leaves replacing the limp one.

[skybleu44]

Hi, I read your post because I am also new AND my only two orchids are doing the same thing! The have tons of blooms and the leaves look terrible...wrinkled and limp. Thought it must have something to do with watering? Help...we need an expert!!!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Just because you water them the same does not mean that they are getting the watering they need. Each may have a slightly different mix, number of roots to suck the pot dry, and maybe something to do with how the mix was put into the pot. So, they need individual treatment. I recommend the bamboo barbeque skewer method. Stick one into each pot to the bottom and leave it there. When you think it is time to water, pull a skewer and check for the wetness on the skewer, then replace. If it is wet, don't water yet. If it is close to dry, water. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[skybleu44]

Hello Jerry, Could you describe what conditions are needed for giving the plants a rest after heavy blooming? Would appreciate any details, like light, fertilizing, re-potting, watering, etc. Also, should the stalks that the blooms were on be cut back?
Thanks,
Teri

[jerrymeola]

Giving it a rest is almost more like saying to ignore it and not to expect too much for a while. You do not have to do anything special.

It is not growing actively so be easy on the water. Fertilize it regularly, actually you should be fertilizing flowering plans during the flowering since the plant can use the extra nutrient. Like the water just do not over do it. You can leave it will it is, but if you are moving it, they sometimes recover faster in slightly less light. Less light probably just slows evaporation and allows the plant to retain moisture longer. Re-potting is something to forget most of the time. Like any nursery re-potting is an expensive time extensive event for a commercial nursery. They get re-potted very seldom. Most hobbyist tend to re-pot much more than the plant needs.

Mostly it just needs time.

Wrinkled leaves is something I have a lot of here. Since I sell orchids mostly at outdoor shows Phals can overheat easily, they are being moved and subjected to too much heat. I had one hanging Phal get so bad I was close to tossing it. I stuck it in a corner and forgot about it and found a still dead looking plant with this bright new firm 4 inch leaf. The rest of the plant is still a disgrace. As soon as a second leaf forms, I will cure the limp leaves by cutting them off, they never recover.

I have never understood why some Phals I own have limp leaves like you describe and some very strong firm leaves when they are right next to each other and get the same water and light. I do not raise a lot of Phals since they are so cheap in Florida, but the trend on the ones I have to hold because the flowers died (no one buys non-flowering plants in Florida) is that they get limp, new leaves grow, and the old leaves fall off. It may have something to do with age and adapting, since older plants do not seem to do this as much.