Baby Phals looking rough

[remi4301]

Several months ago I bought several baby phals. When I got them, they only had an average of 2 very small leaves (about 3-4 inches in length) and on average around 4-5 roots that were also only around 4 inches long. I figured it would be awhile before they were able to bloom. Several of them have grown a new leaf, but in the process, the original two leaves have shriveled up. They are potted in an orchid mix and in very small clay pots since they are very small. For awhile, I had them in an east facing window, but since some of the leaves were shrivelling, I though maybe it was too much sun, and moved them back from the window. After I moved them, they didn't seem to get any better. I water them once a week and if they look too dry I mist them. I use a 20-20-20 fertilizer about once a month. Since they are small, I can observe the roots pretty easily. Some of the roots have shriveled up, some look fairly healthy, but some look like they might have rotted. I'm obviously not watering them correctly, but I can't figure out if I'm underwatering or overwatering, or maybe I should give less water but more frequently?? I've tried to water them more, or water them less, but since the plants are so small I have little room for error, and haven't been able to stick with watering more or less out of fear that I'll just kill them. They are kept indoors, and the average temp is around 75 F during the day and about 72 F at night. I know having such a narrow range of temp will hinder blooming, but right now I'm more concerned with them growing and becoming healthy. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!!!

[janet_a]

stick 'em in plastic baggies. i've tried with the babies in thumb pots and it's tough. try for a miniature green house effect. put them in clear plastic food bags out of direct sunlight. blow a puff of air into the bags and then tie them off loosely at the top. this will keep them warmer and raise the humidity. you may also want to switch to sphag.

where are you located?

[jerrymeola]

growing baby plants whether they are orchids or tropicals will have different results than you would expect with older plants.

Expect every leaf and every root to die and fall off in the first year. It is the natural way of life.

If there are new roots and leaves the plant is fine

[remi4301]

I am located in Atlanta, Georgia. I bought these baby phals after my puppy somehow managed to grab my very first orchid off the plant stand, and proceeded to shred it. I was so upset. My puppy had never shown any interest in my plants before, and I thought it was out of reach. When I got my first orchid I made a beginners mistake and overwatered it and most of the roots rotted. I had been nursing it back to health. I didn't think it was going to make it, but after about 2 years it was finally starting to really do well. I had worked so hard on that plant, and when my puppy chewed it up I was so upset that I bought a bunch of baby phals. Now they are kept way up out of his reach, it was an ugly lesson I had to learn.

When you say to stick them in plastic bags, should I keep them in the clay pots, or take them out and put the potting mix in the just loose in the plastic bag? Thanks for the advice!!

[janet_a]

nope, keep 'em in the pots, you just want to raise the humidity a bit.

jerry is right though--they lose an alarming number of leaves.