Heat Wave and phal orchids

[moliviabaxter]

The past two weeks of heat in the Midwest are making the leaves on my phal limp and leathery. Will they return to normal once it cools down? It is also really dry, how can I help it stay moist?

[Kmac]

I am in Texas, and this is the first year I haven't let phals out on my terrace (under a tree)...but, other years thy have survived summer outdoors here...I think the humidity and air movement helped them. This year it is just too hot, so they are indoors, and the AC dries them out. I am watering mine more often, and using humidity trays underneath. They also have a fan nearby to keep air moving.

You repotted yours recently, didn't you? Were roots in good shape?

[Halloamey]

This is the case for me all year round in India except for now LOL ! Its not the temperature, but the low humidity, more light and no air movement that is causing the problems. In India the temperatures in my greenhouse are 90- 100+F from end Feb to beginning June, but I maintain the RH at 75 to 85 % and plenty of air movement, this keeps them happy and healthy.

[panam]

You might need to mist them to keep the humidity appropriate. I live in a hot, dry area and mist my orchids at least twice a day - some orchids get misted four to five times each day! I also have them in the house with the air conditioner (which removes even more humidity) and sitting in humidity trays to keep them from drying out too much.

Humidity trays can be made by taking trays, plastic ware (I use some large dog bowls for some "overflow" orchids I have) or some such item. Put rocks in the containers and put water in them - but not enough to cover the rocks completely! Place the orchids (in their individual pots) onto the rocks so the bottom of the pots don't sit in the water. As the water evaporates, it will help with the humidity for the orchid.

[moliviabaxter]

Yes I just repotted it recently and most of the roots were okay, some were dead so I cut those off with sterile scissors. It's in new bark now that seems to be really dry.
I think I'm going to try the humidity tray.
The weird thing is my other phal is budding and blooming like crazy! Some of the bottom leaves are turning yellow though?

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, sounds like you should increase the humidity for your phal orchids. This hot weather is hard on them.

cheers,
B D

[moliviabaxter]

I put the plant on a saucer with some rocks and pebbles and ran water on them. i hope it cools off!

[Halloamey]

Phals are known to bloom to death. The plant is using all its energy and resources to nourish the flower stalk. Its a plants way to recycle all the nutrients, the bottom pair of leaves will turn yellow and fall off. Spray your plant regularly and fertilize it weekly with a foliar fertilizer and it will help the plant.

The weird thing is my other phal is budding and blooming like crazy! Some of the bottom leaves are turning yellow though?

[AtantaR]

Personally i have trouble with phals. Not to mention i burned all mine last year in florida's sun..lol oops...i do have a couple left..haha. My phal hybrids are on the wilted side yet my Phal equestris seems to love the heat. I am a water freak tho. As i write this, its about 100+ outside in massachusetts and i worry. This would be the first year i actually put my chids outside. I almost think that foliar feeding might actually draw out more moisture when it evaporates. Increasing humidity around them would prob be best. my conditions are a bit different tho. Humidity here is around 70% with temps between 90-100. They say in new england " if you dont like the weather just wait a minute" haha ive delt thus far with day temps at 80, nights at 50, days at 100, nights at 75, days at 75, nights at 60 and humidity all over the place....now tell me im not running around with my head cut off....haha...good luck baxter