Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,
I am a beginner when it comes to all things green.  A few months ago, I bought two phals, from two different places.  The smaller one that seemed to be a little sickly (leaves were not dark green) lost all of its leaves after it had flowered.  Each turned yellow and fell off.  The second one that had been so beautiful and healthy finally finished flowering (about 4-6 weeks) and I cut it off after the 3rd node as I had been instructed.  It's been maybe 2-3 weeks since I cut it, and now two leaves have turned yellow (starting from the bottom) and have fallen off.  I have 4 more leaves left.  For both, I have them in orchid pots (have holes on the sides), pebble tray underneath, no direct sun or draft, and watered once a week.  What am I doing wrong?  I am so sad!  Thanks in advance for any advice.

ANSWER: Hi Linda,

You are not alone, you have a lot of company when it comes to caring for plants.  One of the biggest problem people have when starting to grow orchids is watering frequency.  

Both phals have lost leaves, each turning yellow before falling off.  The usual cause for this is watering in the afternoon or evening and water left on the leaves overnight which allowed some fungus spores to grow and infect them.  If you see some black sooty looking areas on the leaves, especially near the base of the leaves, that is a sure sign of fungus infection.  To prevent this from happening, it is best to water in the morning to allow enough time during the day for the water to evaporate before nightfall.  It also is helpful to have some light air movement around them.  

On the first phal, does it have any leaves left or is it only a barren leafless stump?  If it has not leaves, it probably is a goner.  On the second, carefully look it over for any signs of fungus.  If you find some, you can try wiping the fungus off but if it has been on the leaves for more than a couple of days, it probably is too late to stop the infection.    

Hope this helped answer your questions.  If you have other questions or would like more information about the above, write back and I'll try to help with them.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jim,

Wow, I'm impressed!  The first one was a goner and the second one appears to be soon joining the first.  I checked the leaves and stem, and sure enough, there is fungus growing at the base of the leaves.  There are still two leaves left on the second one (I've lost 4 now) - but they don't look too healthy at this point.

Can you have too much humidity for a phal?

Many thanks!
Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

Sorry to hear that it is fungus.  On the remaining phal with two leaves, you can try wiping the fungus off with some isopropyl alcohol and Q-tips to see if you can get all or most of the fungus off.  After it is dried off, sprinkle a little powdered cinnamon (yes, the kind used for baking) in the leaf crevice and wait and hope the leafs survive the infection.  Just be prepared for the possibility that the leaves will fall off anyway.  Also, check the very top area of the phal to see if there might be fungus there also, hopefully there is not fungus present.  If there is no fungus visible, it might be possible for a new leaf to emerge and grow.  But, if there is fungus there also, I'm afraid the phal is probably a goner.  

Yes, it is possible to have too much humidity for a phal.  When the humidity is above a certain level, it becomes difficult for water to evaporate off the leaves and also it takes much longer for water to be taken up by the roots.  This can cause the potting mix to be almost constantly wet.  With that said, it is possible to counter high humidity by having air movement around it.  If there is little or no natural air movement present, you can create some with a small fan.  Do not direct the fan at the phal but either off to the side or above the phal.  What you want is some gentle air movement circulating around it.  

Hope this helps and you are able to save it or helps keep any new ones growing and healthy.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.