Sick Phal crown

16 years ago

i have a sick phal, the crown(center leaf?)is yellowing on the edges. how can i go about fixing the problem? should i cut off all of the yellow, or what?i know that i need to keep the crown healthy to prevent the plant from dying, but what do i do?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

richardol
16 years ago
Get 3% hydrogen peroxide straight from be bottle and pour it all over the plant. Then wick all remaining fluid out of the plant with paper towel. This is not guaranteed to stop crown rot, but it sometimes does.

Do it right away because crown rot kills in just a couple of days.
jemsta
16 years ago
Any chance you could post a picture? To me this doesn't sound like crown rot.

The crown is the very center of the orchid, not the whole top leaf. If it's yellow just around the edges and dry I'd probably just leave it alone. If it's mushy or brown do what Richard said.
Related Discussions
sick phal with wilted leaves
Q
Comments (8)
You need an internet photo hosting site. There are free ones like Photobucket or Flikr. You upload your photos to the site. I use Photobucket. The site will allow you to choose different formats for your photos. You copy the HTML code for the photo you want to post and paste it in this box. You will not see the photo in this box. Go to "preview message" and you should see the photo there. If you don't see it, then you have done it wrong. So you have to delete the code and try again. On this forum, they have links, above, for instructions. Also they have a "test" site where you can practice posting photos. Sometimes I forget what to do, or the right code to use, so I go there and practice. Once you learn, it will be a lot easier to show people exactly what your problem is so they can help you solve it.
...See More
Sick Phal a lost cause?
Q
Comments (4)
Never a lost cause! Looking at your photos, I note that there are several healthy white roots sprouting. The leaves are dehydrated because they are not getting water because, as you well know, most of the roots rotted. I would suggest the following: pot in clean New Zealand Sphagnum moss if you can find it. Let them dry out between waterings so as to not dry out the roots. Make sure your pots have good drainage and DO NOT sit the pots in standing water. Water thoroughly at the sink when you water, drain completely and then let them go about a week before you rewater. You will notice that the pot gets lighter when the media has mostly dried out. Orchids are epiphytes so their roots need a lot of air. Most plant roots need air; however, orchids need more than most. Finally, until the roots get going, you will want to keep the humidity moderately high by, for example, placing the pots on a tray of moist gravel (but do not insert the pot into any standing water under the gravel). If you must mist, mist the gravel, not the plant. A ziplock bag, partly open at the top, will also help conserve humidity. Note: I am a judge with the American Orchid Society and have been growing orchids for a really long time (more than I care to admit). I've also killed more than my share of Phals. The best way to kill a phal is: 1) standing water in the crown (major no no); or 2) soggy media at the roots (what your plants suffered from). Good luck. -A Here is a link that might be useful: The Wayward Hawaiian
...See More
Saved phal with crown rot - now what ?
Q
Comments (6)
Yes, it is easy to post a picture as this forum has an "Image file to upload" button. As for bug spray, I've used insecticidal soap before on phalaenopsis with no ill effect. Should be fine for whiteflies, thrips, whatever else you might have gathered from the great outdoors. Be sure you smear it over the leaves 100%. Slow on scale, but hopefully you don't have that. As for your repotting question, I'd use some common sense. Remove whatever is dead, and put the plant deep enough in the pot, so some roots go into the potting medium, and use medium to coarse bark so the plant gets plenty of air below. It's ok if a few roots reach out all over the place, but I think lower is good in general. Be sure you don't put the crown of the plant below the "soil" line though. Congratulations on the recovery. Janine
...See More
need help with sick phal. orchid
Q
Comments (2)
Not a lost cause at all. 1st NEVER use oil in the summer, only use it in the winter when temps are cool. Yes you can get rid of the scale. I would recommend a systemic, merit, or isotox or orthene once a week for 4 or 5 weeks should do it. The browned roots will not recover. I would suggest the next time you have it unpotted to cut off all brown and soggy roots. What do you have it potted in? How big is the plant and how big is the pot? I recommend potting phals in shagnum moss, but if it is potted in bark, you can speed up new root growth by placing some sphagnum close to the base of the plant in the bark mix. You may want to get some Dip and Grow and do an initial soaking for about 15 mins, then use a diluted mixture, made up each watering and use each watering until you see a flush of new roots.
...See More
bermy_orchid
16 years ago
I would dip the entire plant in full strength CAPTAN just to be sure. i agree it does not sound like crown rot.

CAPTAN will help if it is fungal/bacteria. and watch closely.

i had crown rot on a phal that had just started 2 spikes. i treated with CAPTAN to kill all the various nasties that cause rot. but too late to save the terminal leaf and crown. i then ground up some charcoal and poured that in the hole left by the final leaf and took very carefull care of the plant for about 2 weeks after which time i was happy that there was no further rot.
against all advice i left the spikes and eventually (6-8 weeks)one turned into a kiki. that kiki is still atached to the parent, 4 thick roots, 2 leaves and one flower spike. there is also a flower spike coming off of the original spike from the old parent. the old leaves have gotten a bit dull but are still firmly attached and overall i am very pleased.

in short, orchids are much more resiliant than people give thm credit for.

DONT GIVE UP.
Bermy
mehitabel
16 years ago
That's very interesting about the keiki on the spike after crown rot, Bermy. I have heard about keikis after crown rot is stopped at Al's Orchids, and also on this board I think Greenhouser mentioned.

"Don't give up" -- good advice. :)

Related Stories

The Finishing Touch: Trimwork

By Becky Harris

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Design Dilemma: My Kitchen Needs Help!

By KitchenLab Interiors

See how you can update a kitchen with new countertops, light fixtures, paint and hardware

Full Story

FUN HOUZZ Buckle Up for a Modern Mobile Cabin in a Bus

By Mitchell Parker

See an innovative off-the-grid living space designed by an architecture student — with room for 6 and a sunbathing spot

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES California Gardener: What to Do in July

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Active green thumb or not, top priorities for peak fruit and veggie season: watering, feeding, keeping up with growth

Full Story

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen of the Week: Chestnut and an Open Fire in Connecticut

By Becky Harris

Antique chestnut boards give a kitchen with a wood-burning oven vintage flair, balancing its modern amenities

Full Story

113

REMODELING GUIDES Houzz Tour: Baroque Minimalism in New Jersey

By Nora Burba Trulsson

Modern furniture meets ornate elements in a 19th-century Hoboken brownstone, renovated with respect for its original features

Full Story

199

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Creativity Captivates in a New Jersey Family Haven

By Laura Gaskill

Handmade treasures arranged artfully and with love fill a DIY-savvy blogger's bright and cheery home

Full Story

HOUSEPLANTS How to Grow Orchids Indoors

By Marianne Lipanovich

Orchids are the exotic aristocrats of the flower world and can make themselves comfortable in almost any home

Full Story

By Jennifer Ott Design

Visually raise or lower a ceiling, or just add an eyeful of interest, with paint from splashy to soothing

Full Story

291

TRIM Trim Color Tips: Get Your White Trim Right

By Jennifer Ott Design

Set off wood tones, highlight architectural features, go minimalist ... white trim is anything but standard when you know how to use it

Full Story

112

Sick Phal crown

Comments (4)

richardol

jemsta

Related Discussions

bermy_orchid

mehitabel

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US