Soft wrinkled leaves

[FaithMarie]

I've got a phalaenopsis which I've had for about 3 years. It continues to flower and up until recently it has been a healthy plant. About 2 months ago it grew 4 new stalks with buds, but at the same time, the leaves have become very soft, limp & wrinkled. They remain dark green and have not gone brown in any way. At first I thought it was lack of water, so I increased slightly, but this has made no difference. Meanwhile the folwers are still growing, look healthy and are in bud. I always keep the plant on a windowsill in the kitchen and keep the blind drawn so it gets lots of light, but no direct sunlight. It has been very cold in the UK recently (colder than normal), but this hasn't effected it over the past 3 years. I have now moved the plant into the living room where it is warmer but there is less light. So far, this hasn't made a difference. I repotted the plant about 18 months ago. Any help or suggested welcome.
Thanks

[norris]

I'm not sure if you should be concerned or not, you mentioned the plant had made 4 new stalks with buds, I'm wondering if that took a lot of the plants energy to form 4 spikes, causing the leaves to give up some of their reserves.
You also mentioned you repotted 18 months ago. How did the roots look then? You might want to probe around and check the roots now, as a bad root system could also cause that problem. I would put it back in the area where it was getting more light though. Good luck with your plant

[jbigio]

Odds are if your leaves are soft and wrinkled you are either under watering or you have over watered and the roots are bad. either way I would pull it out of the pot and check the roots odds are that's where your problem is. If the root are bad you need to trim the bad ones and pot it down in fresh mix. Good luck
Joe

[Hummer344]

I second the "check the roots" advise. Rot can look much the same as to little water. When you increase the water it increases the rate of root rot. Say that fast three times. Sort of a double edged sword.

[FLBob]

I third the "check the roots". My guess is that your roots are not healthy so no matter how much water you add the plant will appear like it needs water.

When you repot, choose the pot based on the healthy root you have not the size of the leafs.

[FaithMarie]

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I will definitely check the roots again and re-pot. Is it ok to do this when the plant is about to flower? Also, would it be better in a clear or glass pot?

F

[amersault]

i think it should be fine to repot while in flower/spike. i believe af few members have done this in the past to success. just monitor the humidity/water after you pot. if you use a really porous bark mix, you will have to water more frequently to keep the plant from drying out. a humidity tray of just a saucer w/ pebbles and slightly filled w/ water will help. add water to the tray when the all the liquid has evaporated to increase humidity.

on pots: if you can get a clear plastic pot, even better!