? about phal with soft leaves

[tan168]

I have 2 phals which I switched to s/h about 2 months ago (previously in sphag). One of the phal's lower leaves are starting to feel soft with a slightly wrinkled appearance over the past month. The plant seems to be doing well otherwise--two new aerial roots, no sign of crown rot. what does this mean? The other plant is doing well and has the same light/watering schedule.

[Heather]

Hi! oof, I'm the wrong one to comment. I have one phal that is doing this on one leaf, but it is growing new roots and leaves, so I think it is ok, tho usually I think it is a sign of underwatering.

[PAGrower]

tan168, Phals lose a lower leaf from time to time as part of the normal course of things. Usually, the leaf gets wrinkled, turns yellow and then drops with no harm to the plant. So, if you only have one leaf affected and it's a lower one, I wouldn't worry. If you notice similar wrinkling on other leaves, then you have an issue. Keep us posted.

[OrchidTraci]

I have 2 phals which I switched to s/h about 2 months ago (previously in sphag). One of the phal's lower leaves are starting to feel soft with a slightly wrinkled appearance over the past month. The plant seems to be doing well otherwise--two new aerial roots, no sign of crown rot. what does this mean? The other plant is doing well and has the same light/watering schedule.

Generally, it is normal for a phal to shed a bottom leaf or two, and wrinkled leaves are the start. They will then yellow and fall off. As long as the roots are healthy and the overall health of the plant is good, I wouldn't worry. Did it just finish flowering or is a new leaf starting to emerge?

[tan168]

thanks for the input, everyone. the wrinkling/softening is not isolated to the lowest leaf. There is one small leaf that is lowest on the plant which has turned yellow, but the two leaves I am worried about are 6 to 8 inches long and a nice green color. they also have a dull appearance, as compared to the newest leaf which is nice and shiny. Should I be checking the roots at this point? The plant currently has one flower on a spike. Thanks again.

[OrchidTraci]

Do you have a photo of your phal? How long have you had it?

[tan168]

I have had it about 2 1/2 months. I don't have a photo of it yet.

[JOHNnDC]

Same thing is happening to my phal in s/h - moved it over a bit over a month ago. Of course, I kill phals every time I repot them, so who am I to give advice :-) Seriously, I am now getting a new healthy leaf, and have seen several new roots starting, so hopefully it's the case that the plant is using the lower leaves as stored energy while starting to put out roots, etc. The question of course is what comes first - enough new roots and new leaves, or a dead phal. No clue.

[Gilda]

To keep the stress down from repotting and since you only have one bloom left on the spike..if it were my orchid I would cut the spike off and let the orchid use it's energy to grow roots or new leaves,not maintain one bloom.

Can you see the roots in the SH? Are they green? Do you see new ones growing in the SH? Your old roots may have rotted in the SH and the plant is surviving on the few arial roots you metioned... I would check and see what is going on in the SH.

[OrchidTraci]

Same thing is happening to my phal in s/h - moved it over a bit over a month ago. Of course, I kill phals every time I repot them, so who am I to give advice :-) Seriously, I am now getting a new healthy leaf, and have seen several new roots starting, so hopefully it's the case that the plant is using the lower leaves as stored energy while starting to put out roots, etc. The question of course is what comes first - enough new roots and new leaves, or a dead phal. No clue.

do you think phals and other constant moisture needing orchids do better in s/h? I've always been curious about s/h, but never have tried it.