Yellowing Phalaenopsis Leaves

[baytownboy]

Hi,

This is the 3rd Phalaenopsis that develops this problem: the lowest leaves turn yellow and fall off. In the past, the central stem also dried up and the plant died. In one case, I figured I may have erred on the side of not watering my plant enough.

So when I began to see yellowing leaves on this plant, I checked how moist the medium was, and watered the plant.



Can anyone tell me how I can save my plant?

Thanks,

Romulus

[Cjcorner]

Most phals that are potted in spagnum as yours is, do not need as much water. Usually, after a phal is done blooming, the flower spike is cut and the plant repotted (if just bought). There are articles that show how to repot. I'm guessing you are overwatering, this is very common. I am a "heavy handed" waterer myself and usually use clay pots and a little extra bark in my "phalaenopsis bark mix". Also, be careful of letting water set in the top of the leaves, as this causes rot.
Think of your phalaenopsis as more of a cactus type. They hold water in their roots and leaves, so overwatering doesn't allow them to dry out some. With orchids, if in doubt err on the side of underwatering.
Good Luck...don't forget to check the articles. They will have much more information than this...

[baytownboy]

HELP! Emergency Trauma Help Needed.

One by one, my Phalaenopses have been dying off. Some apparently overwatered. At some point the central trunk grows brown and the top of the plant, leaves and all, falls off.

Just had such a Phal die tonight. The one I've sent you a picture of now has 2 yellow leaves. And when I stick my finger in the sphagnum, it remains very humid.

Is there any EMERGENCY Treatment I can undertake to DRY the sphagnum out? Should I pull out the phal and repot it in bark? I don't want to lose this phal if I can help it.

Thank you.

Romulus

[Brutal_Dreamer]

HELP! Emergency Trauma Help Needed.

One by one, my Phalaenopses have been dying off. Some apparently overwatered. At some point the central trunk grows brown and the top of the plant, leaves and all, falls off.

Just had such a Phal die tonight. The one I've sent you a picture of now has 2 yellow leaves. And when I stick my finger in the sphagnum, it remains very humid.

Is there any EMERGENCY Treatment I can undertake to DRY the sphagnum out? Should I pull out the phal and repot it in bark? I don't want to lose this phal if I can help it.

Thank you.

Romulus

Romulus,

Get that phalaenopsis out of the sphag. The sphag is staying too wet and is not allowing air to the roots of the phal. Repot in a bark mix. Take a look at our RVO Care Page and watch the video we include. Hopefully this will help you get this one repotted. Depending on the root situation, you may not have many viable roots left. If this is the case, you may need to bag this plant and put in low light. Do a search here for sphag and bag or post photos so the other members and I can take a look at the root system to offer additional advice.

How to Repot a Phalaenopsis Orchid | River Valley Orchidworks


Cheers,
BD

[cindiras]

Good luck Romulus!

[walingwaling]

also check for false spidermites, just rub your fingers on both sides of the leaves, if its red/brownish then you know....
coz i think i can see some of your leaves with a reddish surface.

but definitely repotting, good luck!

[PhilsDC]

Best thing it was said by Bruce.
1. Repot your plants by removing the old plant media such as sphagnum moss.
2. Cut off rotten roots.
3. Air dry the plant at least half of the day.
4. Treat the entire plant with fungicide and rooting hormones.
5. And ensure that the plant media is completely clean or sterilize or out of pests.

This is a big problem for hybrids which is very dependent to chemicals.

Hope this will help you.

Please refer to Bruce link which is in complete procedures.

[delphiguy]

you have had good advice here already... so i'll just wish you luck and hope that phal
would make it.