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Rescue Phal leaf problems

9 years ago

I picked this Phal up from the supermarket out of pity. It only had one battered flower left and was very dry. I soaked it and repotted it and it has perked up, but now I am noticing some problem on the leaves. At first i though it was spider mites, now I'm not sure. I have it hanging up in a magnolia tree safely away from my other orchids in the house. I have hosed it down regularly and am keeping the pine bark mix evenly moist.


Comments (10)

  • 9 years ago

    You have a plastic pot in a ceramic pot. You water regularly . That will kill your phal. There is no drainage. Too much water. When you hose down the plant do you avoid the center? If not that will also kill the plant. Not water in the crown, it's only grow point. If it rots it dies. If you water a lot, repot in a clay pot with lava rock potting material. Water once or twice a week leave it in the plastic pot but lose the ceramic.

  • 9 years ago

    I agree with Harvey. Ditch the ceramic pot. Let the roots breathe.

  • 9 years ago

    When I water I take the plastic pot out, flush it then let it drain completely. The roots do not sit in water. It's only in the cache hanger for the time being. This is a very dry climate, and i hoped that double potting would help retain humidity around the roots while it recovers.

    But what is affecting the leaves?

    I grow my other phals indoors like this, with plastic pots sitting inside brass jardinieres on a bed of damp scoria rock.

  • 9 years ago

    Your local culture seems strong and the plant drains so cold damage now seems plausible...

  • 9 years ago

    Where do you live and grow this plant?

    I do agree with the above suggestions. The plant is too deep in that pot. The pot is blocking air flow to the crown and roots. It might not be causing problems now but will. If you keep the plant in the two pots, raise the plant up higher. Put styro peanuts or broken clay pieces in the bottom of the pot to raise it up. You will run into problems leaving it like that. Outdoors is not indoors.

    Your leaf problem could be nutritional or some sort of bacterial pitting. The color could be do to temp change. It could be a number of things including virus. Watch the blooms for any color breaks.

    You could try spraying with some Physan and running it through the media. Watch the new leaf to see if it begins pitting.

    I would try repotting the orchid in fresh media. Raise it up out of that pot to increase airflow around the crown and roots. Use a bactericide/fungicide like Physan and watch the new leaf.

    If it continues, you might have a virus. If you want to spend the money to order a virus testing kit you can to verify. Otherwise, I would toss the plant.

    Jane

  • 9 years ago

    Could be a combo of cold and wind and generally not being used to being outside. Did you harden off the plant before keeping it outside permanently?

    tj

  • 9 years ago

    Could it possibly be related to spider mites?

    Just to be sure, I would either check with a magnifying glass or take a moistened piece of tissue/paper towel and wipe it down the length of the leaf. If any small red/moving spots appear, then you've got mites.

  • 9 years ago

    I live in Perth Western Australia. The climate is very similar to San Diego California. It's autumn and still warm enough for orchids to be out doors. I read up on edemas and that looks like the chief problem. The plant was very desiccated when I got it, so soaking the root ball might not have been the best thing for it. Especially after coming straight out of an air conditioned shopping centre. I didnt want to bring it into the house straight away, just in case it did have any pest problems. I wiped the leaves over with soapy water after repotting. I will check for mites with a tissue later today. The two newer leaves appear to be relatively healthy.

  • 9 years ago

    Best of luck!

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