Readers Respond: Tips and Tricks for Growing Phals

Responses: 10

By Jon VanZile, About.com Guide

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Let us know what works—and what doesn't work—with your favorite phalaenopsis orchids ... Share What Works!

My Phalaenopsis has what appears it feet growing over the edge of the pot; what do I do?
—Guest Lola Lemcke

I just received a phalaenopsis as a gift. It is planted in terra cotta with the roots showing, yet it feels unstable in the pot. I was wondering if I should repot into a clear pot. Also, what is the best media for repotting? Thanks. also, it is in an approximately 3" pot, should I place it in something bigger?
—lorijanet

Two phalaenopsis were purchased in June 2011. The flowers are starting to drop off. Could the cause be the central air conditioner has dropped the house temperature too much during the day? We live in a somewhat dry climate.
—LOVETASEW

After the orchid blooms, the blooms will eventually yellow and drop off, leaving behind the flower spike. Over time, the spike itself will also turn brown, at which time you can snip it off. Phals will occasionally rebloom from a spent spike, and some growers cut the old spikes off just above the second node to try to stimulate a second bloom. If you're not concerned with this, just cut the spike with sterilized snippers near the base.
—JonVanZile

It is the stem that is yellowing after the blooms have dropped. Do I cut the stem back or let is die back on its own.
—Guest vickie

After flowering, the blooms have dropped off and the stem is yellowing. What do you do to the stem? Cut back or just wait till the whole stem has yellowed and falls away? It is Oct. so Im ready to fertilize.
—Guest Vickie

The quick answer is no, phal leaves should not be yellow. Ideally, the leaves should be light green to green, or in some species, lightly speckled. Yellow new growth means trouble of some variety. Check for bugs (down in the leaf folds too), crown rot, and any change in conditions. Also, check the roots. Healthy roots should be silver/grey when dry with 1/2 to 1 inch of exposed green or maroon growing tip. An orchid with healthy roots is much more likely to recover, once you diagnose the problem.
—JonVanZile

The leaves at the top odf my orchid are yellow while the bottom leaves are a rich green. The orchid is hanging on the tree outside. Am I in trouble? or is this a natural color of some leaves?
—Guest michael

I've done the same thing. Bummer. Personally, I wouldn't cut the leaf back unless it was showing signs of rot. If you cut the leaf, make sure to use sterile equipment. Other than that, I'd just keep it very happy and let it recover on its own. It should be OK in the long run unless a significant portion of the plant was burned.
—JonVanZile

I accidentally left my gorgeous Phalaenopsis out on my back deck (I had placed it out there during a home tour, for its beauty), and now the leaves have all scorched from the tip towards the centre. Will these fall off in time, should I cut them back to where they are healthy? There are a couple of new leaves sprouting ...
—Guest Suzanne