when leaves become slightly twisted...

[Cinderella]

...due to underwatering, does this correct itself when you start watering appropriately or do the leaves stay that way?

[uncasteeb]

What plant ?

[Cinderella]

Any one, really. It has happened to a Catt and slightly, an oncidium.

[Gin]

Hi , you said they are twisted ? if on the Catt. has it been going toward the light and getting the pot turned ? if so they will twist toward the strongest light source . If it is from underwatering and the leaves are floppy ? on a Catt they will stay that way . can you put a picture of the plant on the forum ? I am just making guesses . Gin

[LJA]

New leaves on an oncidium that's been underwatered will be pleated laterally, like an accordion. On a cattleya, underwatered new growth will look small, twisted, and "deformed," as it will on phals that have been chronically underwatered. Unfortunately, those deformities won't straighten and fill back out, as they might on other tropical houseplants once they're getting enough moisture. The particular leaves will always have that deformed twist to them, even when they grow bigger, even if you're watering appropriately. (Orchids seem to enjoy continually reminding us of our screwups...). If you've caught the underwatering early enough in the growth season so that the leaf will still get bigger, the fact that it *does* get bigger will let you know that the amount of water you're now giving is more appropriate.

Watch that you don't now give too much water, trying to "fix" the leaves, and end up rotting roots....

[Dana]

How about phals?
Two of the leaves on the phal below are badly twisted, I bought it that way but I've always been curious about it.
It doesn't really bother me since it has a bonus to it (the leaves protect the crown from water by hanging over it)

[Cinderella]

I don't know so I'll let someone else answer....but I do like the flowers.

[Dana]

Me too and they smell absolutely heavenly!

[Gin]

Drool .. it is beautiful . if the plant was crowded when the leaves were growing it forces them to grow at odd angles , I have had a couple started to turn what I did was cut a strip of panty hose and correct them a little at a time, note little , a strip over the leaf with ends of the P. hose taped to the pot , Phal. bondage Gin