Help! Poorly Phal... newbie not sure how to make it better...

[Jo_]

Hi folks, I'm new here! I have several very pretty Phalaenopsis plants which I am very fond of. Despite being a bit of an inept gardener, I've managed to keep them going for the last few of years. However my favourite, most mature plant, has got quite poorly and I can't work out what's wrong with it. I wondered if anyone here could help.

The plant has flowered each year for the last three years. However this spring, not long after I moved house, the the buds it produced oozed sap, and then the whole flower stalk died.

I realised it might have been getting too much sun, so I moved it to a better location in the new house. It has responded by growing *loads* of leaves... it seems to have gone a bit mad! Unfortunately the leaves seem to 'go bad' by turning brown and slimy at the tip and gradually dying. The newest leaves aren't reaching any size at all before they die.

As I'm a newbie, I can't post photos or working links, but there are some pics online:

i51.tinypic.com/256bo2e.jpg - the plant looks pretty healthy on this side, but you can see it has a lot of leaves!

i53.tinypic.com/11vsjyb.jpg - this shows off the poorly parts of the plants better, with the partly dead young leaf in the middle, and one of the more mature leaves on the top right turning brown.

i53.tinypic.com/4g8l2.jpg - a close up of the middle of the plant. The new leaves come through very green and healthy, but within days go slimy at the end and gradually die.

All advice gratefully received! I'm sure I've been doing it all wrong...!

Thanks,

Jo

[Emma Grey]

I'm not sure about why your plant is losing leaves, but here is some basic info about phals. Maybe read it and compare to your current growing conditions to see if any changes help it.

[Ron]

Hi Welcome to the Geeks Forum
Here is my basic care for Phallies.
Hope it works.
Most problems relating to Phallies is because they are keep to cold.
In soggy and wet potting mix, again it get too cold.
Never fed with a 'GOOD' fertilizer

Caring for your Phalaenopsis
TEMPERATURE: For your Phalaenopsis we would recommend temperatures around; Day 16 - 30 C Night Minimum of 16 - 20 C. don’t reduce the night temperature below 12C. Although it may look fine, your plant will not bloom but just 'tick over'. If your conditions are near to this minimum, keep your orchid quite dry. Higher daytime temperatures are no problem as long as your plant is in a shady place and humidity and the airflows are good.
LIGHT: Being accustomed to the dappled light of the forest, moth orchids dislike direct sunlight, especially through glass. Indirect sunlight is ideal.
WATERING: If your orchid has been grown in a Co Co nuggets or bark mixture it's important to let the compost nearly dry out between watering’s. Water well from the top, taking care to keep the centre of the plant dry and leave to drain. Don't let your plant stand in excess water and if the pot is placed inside another container, make sure it isn't standing in trapped water. Rain water is recommended, watering with tap water will do no harm.
FEEDING: Feed your plant regularly with orchid fertilizer when you water. Every Third watering leave out the fertilizer to allow any build up of salts to be washed from the compost. Plants in poor condition should have very low levels of fertilizer, if any, until a substantial root system is reestablished.
HUMIDITY: If you live in a dry atmosphere, standing the plant on a moist gravel tray will create a micro climate and assist growth. Make sure that the base of the pot is above the water level. Putting the pot on an upturned saucer would help lift it slightly. Gently misting the plants early in the morning can be useful if the air is really dry.
FLOWERS: The flowers of your moth orchid may look delicate but are extremely long lasting, often remaining in good condition for three months. When the flowers die, cut the stem back just above main leaf. Because the moth orchid does not have an annual rhythm like most plants we grow, it may produce flower spikes any time of the year. Should a large, healthy plant fail to produce a flower spike in a reasonable time (six months), reduce the temperature by 5 C for four weeks and that should encourage flowering.
OTHER HINTS: * The moth orchid likes home conditions similar to you. It doesn't like standing next to or directly above a heater or radiator and it dislikes draughts. * Occasionally a leaf may go yellow and drop off. Don't worry; it's quite normal. ….. * If it loses lots of leaves, you are probably over watering and giving it a root problem.
* If your orchid should suffer serious leaf loss, stop watering and feeding for four weeks. This can encourage new roots to be produced.

[Jo_]

Thanks guys. From what you've written, I'm sure I have been overwatering all my plants. I will let the bark dry out a little. I will also be more careful not to let water get into the crown (I wonder if this is the source of the problems I'm having with the leaves rotting). I also think the new house may be too cold at night. I'm going to bring the poorly plant upstairs where it is warmer.

I'm still concerned that the leaf rot may be caused by disease, so I'll do a bit more research. If anyone has any further suggestions, they are most welcome.

Many thanks!

Jo

[Stitz]

Jo,
I agree with Ron!




There are many species of Phalaenopsis which have widely varying requirements for successful culture. Please, research your plant(s) background. Among Phals, there are some which are very comfortable grown at very cool temperatures and there are some that are very comfortable when they are grown in very warm temperatures.

Confusing? You are now a GEEK!
Keep coming back!!

--Stitz--

[maiseymoo]

Hi to a fellow UK geek!! You need to remember that everyones conditions are different and all plants are different so you need to work out what works best for you, with help from the geeks!!

[Jo_]

Thanks guys! It's very friendly here isn't it? And I am honoured to be given the title of geek... truly I am!

The new house is quite different from the old - it is much warmer during the day, and cooler at night. I also think I've overwatered and overfed the plant, in an effort to encourage it. I've probably drowned the poor thing! On the plus side, one of my other Phal's is showing signs of growth, and another has just come into bloom for the second time since I bought it last year... so I'm keeping some of them happy at least! I do hope I can persuade this one to choose life though - it was a gift so has sentimental value, and it also has beautiful ivory coloured blooms which I would love to see again.

I can't think why it's gone mad and grown so many leaves... I will continue to research. As before, all suggestions and ideas are welcomed. I'm starting to realise orchids are like people, and need a little TLC.