Why does this happen?

[englandfx]

Ok, so I have a phal that has some odd leaves..
by that I mean the newer leaves are smaller than the older leaves.

Like some leaves haven't even fully grown in size, and then a new leaf comes and that leaf is bigger...and then the smaller leaf stops growing...why does that happen?

Here is a pic of what I mean:

[1joyceh]

not sure englandfx, but she sure looks healthy and happy

[-k-]

Good question, and one I have pondered over myself. . . I have 2 Phals. that do this and have yet to come up with an explanation.

[Fishmom]

I would think that this is due to small variations in growing conditions, like tree rings reflect differences in weather and nutrients. It's clearly healthy, so I wouldn't worry about deficiencies. The rule of thumb that leaves should be getting bigger only holds when the plant is immature, I believe. Maybe this one just responds to changes in ave. temperature and such.

[Dendian]

On the plants that I had do this their roots were rotted and I repotted them. The next two leaves were much smaller than the previous leaves. However- after they put out new roots and recovered the leaves were larger again.

[BillC]

That appears to be a very healthy plant and so long as you get good quality blooms the variation in leaf size is of no great concern. Good growing.

Bill

[koshki]

I have thought that this problem might be due to changing light conditions. As in...when a plant gets more light, the leaves don't grow as big as when it gets less. This is just my "working theory"...I have no scientific basis for this idea. But I am always pondering thoughts like this...wondering what is the "logic" behind something I observe.

It's that kind of thinking that lead me to figure out what prompted the appearance of the "mother ship" in the old arcade game Space Invaders. If you're old enough to know what I'm talking about, well, you're getting old too!

[jpyerry]

My experiences mirror Dendian's, I have noticed that any orchid that I have obtained and then checked the roots and found significant amounts of root rot, after repotting the leaves that came in tended to be smaller than the leaves prior to my repot. But, then subsequent leaves tend to be bigger. I have had this happen with 3 Phals so far, none of them have grown back to their original leaf sizes, but they are on their way. Since I have only had it with 3 plants, it could simply be anecdotal evidence, but it seems compelling.

Justin

[englandfx]

Very interesting thoughts!

But when I repotted this phal, all roots were in good shape.
So this kind of leads me to thinking about the 'light condition' as koshki said.

I think the phal was probably given too much light...which started to make the leaves grow too fast and it went premature bcuz of too fast growth and it got stunned...so it stays as that size and then grows a new one.

I highly doubt the two small leaves will grow back to normal size. When I feel them, they feel pretty hard and final.

[Emma Grey]

I thought leaves were smaller when the plant was not receiving enough nutrients/good culture? Hmmm...

[Brooke]

I find it happens if I repot a Phal before the leaf is mature size. I now try to repot after the newest leaf is mature or before a new one starts. For me it had nothing to do with root mass.

When I bring a new Phal in I repot regardless of the stage of the leaf growth.

Brooke

[Cym Ladye]

Keep in mind when you buy an orchid from a commercial source, that it has been grown in optimum conditions. Unless you can duplicate those conditions in your environment, you will see variations in growth patterns, size of leaves and blooming.

CL

[englandfx]

Here is little update on my phal! It has a new leaf!

[orchids4me]

So far it appears to be coming along nicely

[englandfx]

I can't wait for it to rebloom

[englandfx]

The leaf has gotten bigger

[Fishmom]

Wow, it's growing fast for sure! You must be giving it what it wants!

[1joyceh]

Looking great!!

[englandfx]

Thx I think my growing conditions/culture is just right!

[englandfx]

Here is an update!

[Cristia]

If I may make an observation, I dont know if it is true for orchids, but I see the leaves bigger when the plant is getting more nitrogen in my other tropicals, as well as garden plants. Did you change fertilizers or fert schedule?

[englandfx]

Well Im not sure if the grower changed fertilizers...
but I have been using my same schultz orchid fertilizer ever since i got the orchid.

it has a number like this: 19.31.17

[1joyceh]

Looks great