? on # of Phal. leaf's

[sandra]

I have this one phal. with 4 leaves that is about to lose it's bottom leaf. I know it's normal for the bottom leaf to eventually die off. But, what makes some phals. grow numerous leafs before losing the bottom ones? I have some phals with 7 and 8 leaves. Is it the age of the plant, the older, the stronger? The culture, necessarily? I checked the roots and they're plentiful and healthy so while there appears nothing wrong, can I assume that some phals. just don't need a lot of leaves to be healthy and to go on spiking?

[PhalPal]

I think it is largely in the genetics. I have a few phals with 6+ leaves that I have owned for two years at the most. Since I have grown interested in the compact/mini types I find they don't maintain as many leaves.

[phalaephila]

The number of leaves a phal can hold is sometimes due to genetics. Of course there is no one cause ~ all conditions are intertwined. If in other respects the orchids are healthy, enjoy the individuality of your plants.

Jeanne

[Orchidflowerchild]

Age of the plant can also be a factor. Most of the plants one buys are often on only their first or second blooming. Orchids are VERY long-lived, if cared for well, and being five or so years old is tantamount to being pubescent. Old enough to bloom (reproduce), but not nearly an adult. When it's getting on ten years, a Phal is getting mature. They will often hold more leaves and produce several or very large inflorescences. I've some friends up in North Texas and Louisiana that grow huge, fat phals in their--very old--greenhouses. One man is a breeder and his stud house is amazing. The plants are enormous. Fat, thick leaves, long and wide and shiny. And to see hem in bloom....

-Cj

[mayres]

Sandra that is an excellent question that I'm sure many have wondered. I would guess to some degree genetic as noted. For me it seems to also be wrapped up in the health of the plant. I have a few phals that are totally fine in terms of roots, but I purchased them as rescue plants and they seem to struggle to maintain 2-4 leaves for several years. They just cannot seem to get "over the hump". On the other hand, I have a couple of others at the opposite extreme - one even a mini phal type - with 10 leaves. As Cindy mentioned, it is awesome to see truly mature phals with leaves that are 12 inches or more long each and 4-6 inches wide and it seems like about 3/16 inch thick. Most of us have not been growing phals long enough to have one of these for our very own. Maybe someday?

[kmarch]

I've seen lots of Phals with only 2 leaves and recently heard of one here on the forum that had 14. If you are providing good culture and the roots are healthy, I'd be of the opinion you have nothing to worry about.

[pikevi]

I think it is an excellent question too!!

As PhalPal and phalaephila suggested there will be some limitations seen in individual plants because of genetics. But in many cases 'nurture' couldd influence the number of leaves on an orchid.

I think kmarch is right about the care. Since my experience with orchids is limited I can only write about what I have observed in my Phals. during re-potting.

I think when the root system is extensive the Phals. seem to have more leaves. I have a few Phals. that have 10 or more leaves and they have considerable root development. Most of the others are younger and I can see the trend right now.A few of them have started to grow new leaves before the previous ones have fully matured.

[Orchidflowerchild]

It's a two-edged sword. In order to provide energy for growing that root system, there has to be enough chlorophyll exposed to the light in leaves, but to provide water and nutrients to those leaves, there has to be a good root mass. Phals don't have specialized water storage organs, after all. This is why good culture has to take all factors into account. You need enough water to support older leaves and new growth, nut not so much you rot the roots and thus reduce water ptake. You need enough light to produce and support flowers, but also to provide energy for new growth, both leaves and roots. If it is too hot and especially too cold, the plants become inefficient at metabolizing, at transpiring, etc...

That is why no one aspect of culture is a magic cure, and why when a grower recieves a CCM or a CCE it is really a big deal. In order to garner that kind of award, a grower must provide every aspect of the clture of a plant perfectly, so as to have perfect, happy foliage as well as a perfect blooming.

-Cj

[Nancy]

I'm no expert, but I think it has to do with culture. I've noticed with my Home Depot Phals that they all have dry, limp leaves at the bottom..I think they are very sensitive to mistakes in watering, and when ever they go dry for even a very small amount of time roots die, which makes them have to sacrifice a leaf in order to keep the newer leaves thriving.