? about phal with soft leaves

[orchidaddict789]

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.

It can be either underwatering or overwatering (root rot)...possibly something else. I'm no phal expert , but like mentioned before, make sure the roots are not rotted. Once I got a phal (in sphag
though) that had a few *nice* aerial roots which was very convincing that it was healthy. I took it out and checked it's roots--ahhh--nothing but rotten stuff inside the pot. Now it still has soft/wrinkled leaves .

Hopefully root rot is not your case...it may be stress??? Sometimes repotting may cause plants to "sulk". Just an idea.

[PAGrower]

It can be either underwatering or overwatering (root rot)...possibly something else.

Heat stress will wrinkle the leaves, also. Sorry if I misunderstood you before, I thought only one leaf was affected. I sure hope your plant is okay.

[JOHNnDC]

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.

Well, from what I've read about s/h, and from posts by others around the Web, it seems that moisture-loving plants like s/h more. But, I"ve read that folks have varying levels of success with paphs, phrags tend to do quite well, but other likes cochleanthes are hit or miss. Probably, as always, depends on your conditions, etc. But at first blush, it would seem that moisture loving plants would be happier in s/h because the roots never get a chance to dry out completely, if you're doing it right.

[uncasteeb]

1 doing fine & 1 doing not so good.
I,d check the 1 doing poorly for pests.It may be going through an adjustment
period which is causing the problems(older roots dying off).
I hope Oncidiums do well in s/h as i,ve just repotted my mum,s.The reason for repotting into s/h is that it keeps growing new PB,s & growing out of the pot.
For JOHNnDC the pot is 5" high X 6" wide & the drain holes 1 1/2" from the bottom.
My mum maybe 12" shorter & 1/2 my weight but she,ll "pan my fanny" if it dies

[tan168]

well, I went ahead and unpotted my plant today, looks like most of the roots were rotten (in defense of the s/h media, they weren't in great shape to begin with -- a Target buy in too moist sphag to start with) , so I trimmed what I could and repotted back into the s/h. I did notice 3 new root growths and a new leaf forming though. This is my first orchid so I am hoping for the best. Thanks for all the help, everyone.

[OrchidTraci]

well, I went ahead and unpotted my plant today, looks like most of the roots were rotten (in defense of the s/h media, they weren't in great shape to begin with -- a Target buy in too moist sphag to start with) , so I trimmed what I could and repotted back into the s/h. I did notice 3 new root growths and a new leaf forming though. This is my first orchid so I am hoping for the best. Thanks for all the help, everyone.

Sorry the roots aren't doing so well. Maybe now that all the bad ones are off, it will become stronger.