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Hi all! I got this mini-phal about a year ago. It bloomed nonstop… | The Orchid Oasis | Planta-Community

MattL

Hi all! I got this mini-phal about a year ago. It bloomed nonstop from January until maybe November and at that point I noticed the leaves were starting to droop and shrivel. So I cut off the flowers because I thought maybe they were killing the plant, and for the last maybe six weeks I’ve been trying to baby it, but I’m not really detecting any improvement. It still looks sad. Additional details: - not overwatered (I think I might have underwatered previously)—it’s in a clear pot so I can make sure roots are silver before watering - potted in standard orchid mix with some coconut husk mixed in - it has its own grow light, since natural light is not the best in this location (a huge window that gets a fair amount of light but a northern exposure)

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6 Kommentare

  1. Madison

    Usually when orchid leaves are shriveled-looking, it’s dehydration. I’m honestly not sure though, because it sounds like you’re giving it all the right conditions and care, so these are the things I’d check/ask if it were me to help narrow down the problem more: -How much light does the grow light provide the leaves? You can download a free light meter app on your phone to get a rough idea or buy a meter online. I’ve recently learned the hard way that not all grow lights are created equal and that some really don’t put off any meaningful light at all. Orchids do best if they can receive at least 1,000 foot candles of light. Tbh I don’t think this is your problem because the leaves don’t look pale/yellowing at all in your photos, but it’s worth checking out. -Do the roots currently look silver? How long do they stay silver for before watering? If they’re staying dry too long, it could explain why the leaves look a bit shriveled up. If so, I’d try to water once most of the roots are silver but maybe not every single last one and try to water as soon as I notice they’re silver rather than letting them stay dry for multiple days. -Can you see any dead, shriveled, or mushy roots through the clear pot? If so, it might need you to do a repot where you trim off those roots. -Are there any pests? (It doesn’t look like it to me, but I always check to be sure if I can’t find another explanation.) Check for honeydew spots, fine webbing, black dots underneath the leaves, fuzzy white dots (mealy bugs), and of course any actual moving insects. -Humidity levels? This is usually the last thing I worry about, but orchids do love humidity so if I can’t find another reason then this is sometimes what I tackle. Adding a humidifier can help support it and keep the roots from drying out as quickly. This is also more likely to be an issue if you live in a super dry climate, especially in these extra dry months.

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    • MattL

      These are all good advice. My main fear is I just severely dehydrated it while it was blooming. I always lean towards underwatering, but maybe during this extended period of crazy blooming it just needed a lot more. Then maybe I waited too long to cut the flowers off so it’s just gone through a pretty traumatic period and maybe a month or two isn’t enough for it to recover. But it would be nice if it would give me a sign, you know, “hey, I like this, you’re on the right path.”

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    • Madison

      😂 the good news is that the leaves don’t look like they’re yellowing or browning too bad! I tend to agree with you that it may still be a little underwatered. I bet with more watering and a humidifier it would bounce right back.

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  2. MK

    I have had a mini orchid for about 3 years. Each year it blooms twice, loses 2 leaves (opposite sides) and then grows 2 new leaves. Has only had 4 leaves at one time. And It is doing very well. I assume this is normal. It is not dehydration. Perhaps specific to this particular type?

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    • MK
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    • MattL

      Wow. Maybe!!

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