Is there help for my phal??

[Asnell1921]

I don't understand it. I've had my Phal for almost 6 years...and for the last year, she's been dying a slow death (well I think). I must have been doing something right considering what the pictures look like as my avatar right? Then I moved....and she flowered again...so I didn't kill her with the move. But lately her leaves are all wilty and turn yellow one by one and fall off. I have 2 leaves left. Thats all. No flowers of course. Can anyone help me? I don't know what to do for her

[mayres]

Are the leaves falling off from newest to oldest or the reverse? If newest to oldest then you have probably developed a case of crown rot. As soon as you make five posts (I believe) you can post a picture - which would be helpful. Have you inspected the roots? When was the last time you repotted? What media are you using? What might it have experienced just prior to the "change in health"? Even for a short period - excess light/sun, cold, sprayed with something, etc. I would agree that the plant in your avatar is a sweet looking plant & flowers - something you DEFINATELY would want to hang onto if possible! Again - please post a close up pic if possible. Good luck!

[Asnell1921]

For as long as I had it, I never repotted it...I was scared to! But then a month ago, I thought I should do something...since it was dying I didn't mind repotting. I bought some "orchid bark" from Lowes, and I got some special pot that leaves water out the bottom...I got a new leaf started. But the leaves are still turning yellow (old to new) and the new leaf hasn't made it very far! (If you can't tell, I have no idea what I'm doing...so thanks for all you have to offer!!)

[mayres]

Did you soak the bark before using? If not, soak the entire pot/media/roots in a container or sink full of water up to the level of the bark for a good period - say 15-30 minutes. If the roots were in good condition you may not be getting any water retention to your media. Do this for at least the next 5-6 weeks on a weekly basis. When you repotted did you trim away any/all of the mushy/black/stringy type root material? Did you keep the pot size about the same as before - just large enough to fit all the present root mass into? Hang in there - if you have good roots still and the new leaf/center portion of your plant is still good it should be able to recover fairly quickly. When you say "special" pot what else is unique besides a hole in the bottom - holes in the sides? Most of us just use plain standard plastic pots - many are especially fond of the clear types because then we can see what is going on inside with moisture and root conditions.

[Asnell1921]

yep, it has some design on the side with holes around it. I guess I went overboard huh? ha ha. Oh well, at least it looks pretty on my kitchen table! I did not soak the bark....well not for a period of time. So I will try this little trick and see what happens! Thanks again for the tips

[mayres]

I'm not saying you should, but often these ceramic type pots can still be used as great decoration by placing the plastic pots INSIDE them - they also provide some great stabilization for taller plants that tip/fall over. Good luck with your recuperation process - let us know how it goes.

[Rachel the Truth]

I never knew that soaking the bark would help it to retain moisture!

I repotted one of my phals and the bark is so dry all the time! I will also give this a try!

To the OP- good luck getting her stabilized!

Cant wait to see her bloom again!!!!!!

Is that the only one you have?

[11Orchid126]

You say you moved. Do you have the plant in a different window? What type of light does it get, east? west? north? south?

[Asnell1921]

Yep, I bought my own home, so now she sits on my kitchen table, which is very sunny, but it doesn't sit in direct sun light. I guess the windows would be south windows. This is the only orchid I've ever owned, and now that I feel like I killed her, I feel bad buying more! (I know that sounds weird) They're so beautiful, and I've tried reading up on them, but there's so much contradicting info....and none of the problems sound exactly like mine?! I soaked the whole pot today, so we'll see what happens! Still not quite sure how to post a pic of her yet...