"...in a south-facing basement window which gets bright light for several hours in the morning and afternoon. (It doesnÂt cast a shadow though, since itÂs a window well." I am not understanding this description. What is a window well. However, the light must cast a shadow. It doesn't have to be the sharpest, most distinct shadow that there is, but you should see a definable shadow when you place it in the light. The sphag should dry in a week in a plastic pot, twice a week in clay. That is ideal. If it took two weeks in plastic and one week in clay that would be less optimal but fairly typical. I am not surprised that you are having better luck with bark in that light but it is the wrong compensation. Best results come from having the light, temps and watering correct and then selecting a potting medium and/or pot material that works for you.

H

Howard A: A window well is a hole that is dug 2-feet or so into the ground, and then lined with corrugated metal. This allows houses to have windows -- and therefore natural light -- in their basements. Window wells are quite common in the Intermountain West.

I have never seen my phals cast a shadow in the light coming in from my window. But if you insist that there must be one, then it clearly must be slight. It might also be very narrow, since light enters a room through a window well enters at a very sharp angle (almost from straight overhead).

Also, your post doesnÂt really help me diagnose the actual problem, beyond indicating that IÂm not getting the right combination of light, temperature, and water. Do you mean to imply that IÂm getting too little light?

In other words, are yellowing leaves a symptom of too much water? too little water? too much light? too little light? or any/all of the above?

-Crazy

Hi Crazy
Being familiar with Howard, a respected expert on this board, he is telling you that you probably don't have enough light, thus your combination ie watering schedule is not correct. (too much) The lace curtain may not be necessary either if you cannot see a shadow.

Since this a basement I have to ask what your temps are? This also may be part of the problem. Basements are cool. Bud abortion will happen under cool conditions.

You also state that you water when the top feels dry. You need to dig down a bit deeper than the top. A finger to the knuckle. The FAQ section of the forum has a lot of information regarding this.

If you don;t have enough light and heat cut back on the watering. You a couple of dead roots. There will be more to come if the combination of the 3 (light, heat water) are not balanced

Clara

Clara - ItÂs a finished basement (which is also quite common in the Intermountain West). ItÂs 71 degrees down here right now.

-Crazy

Hi, Crazy. You're on the right track with your ailing phal, but please pay attention to clarita's caution about watering. She's right on the money.

Also, listen to Howard about light. He's our light guru and directly responsible for much of the success many of us have had around here after we heeded his cautions and increased the light we were giving. .

Your question about the shadow: It isn't the phal that is supposed to cast a shadow. Your hand placed between the light and the phal should cast a shadow *on the phal* if the light is good.

If you only have a small amount of natural light, you can supplement it with artificial lights, as many of us do.

Light is a source of energy for plants, including phals. For a discussion of the importance of light in growing phals, see the culture notes at Bedford Orchids, or just put "howard" into the search function.

Too little light is the commonest newbie mistake-- one I made my whole first summer. Took me several months to wise up that what I thought was "bright indirect light" was really deep shade. The faster you learn about giving your plants good light, the sooner you'll succeed in reblooming your plants.

The yellowing of the leaves are most likely from root loss. If it is potted in old sphagnum or peat, then it should be potted in a better draining compost like a mixture of fir bark, peat and perlite. I live in a garden apartment and for the life of me, I don't get enough light to get any orchid to bloom. My office get's a bright south light and the orchids do great. Despite what books say that phalies don't need too much light, the reality is that good bright indirect light results in better flowering. Very dark leaves are sign of not enough light. Also floppy dark leaves. Yellowish leaves can indicate too much light, but again, in your case I think it was bad roots, and overwatering.