help, my phal is sick...

[Slynn]

I purchased a phal about nine months ago, and it was fine until january, when i moved for school and I could not take my plants with me. I think maybe she overor under watered it, as she often forgets to water and then does it every day to compensate. the plant started to look run down, but in the last month I took it back in with me. I have been trying to water it once a week with weak fertilizer (the place where I bought it recomended that I soak it in water for fifteen minutes to water it, is this wrong?). Hopwever, since i brought it back with me, I repotted it, and had to cut off a lot of brown rotted roots. then it put it in bark. I have lost three of the older leaves, they withered and turned yellow. However, there is a lot of root growth, so I don't know if the leaf loss is normal... but the remaining leaes are a bit withered too. it has east facing light from sitting on a windowsill. can anyone tell me what I should do to help this plant? i tried to read the forums, but I am more confused than before... help!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Once leaves wrinkle, they will not flush out again. The leaves may be left over from over or under watering. When you repotted, were there any good roots in the pot? If they were mostly or all dead, that would explain the wrinkled leaves, but I suppose it could be for both underwatering and mostly dead roots. If you have new root growth, and you keep those roots alive, new leaves will follow. The wrinkled leaves are still functional if they are green.

You do want really bright light for phals, but if the roots are not yet well developed, the plant may not be able to take very high light, and direct sunlight is probably not good for you plant even if in the best condition. The exception is if it is very early morning light (not nearly so bright), if you have lots of smog, or you are very far north and the light is very weak. Bright indirect light is usually safest. Cynthia, Prescott, AZ

[Slynn]

there were good roots as well as bad, and there is new root growth. thanks so much, I hope it pulls through ok, can you tell me anything else about watering? thank you again!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

There have ben several threads about using a bamboo skewer. Search on 'skewer'. Cynthia

[jerrymeola]

I would like to point out that when a plant has been under-watered it starts to hibernate. Trying to water it heavy or even water normally is too much.

You should go easy and let the orchid adjust to having water available again.