Having issues with Phal Nobby's Amy

14 years ago

Anyone else experience difficulty with this hybrid?

I bought it last November. Was in full bloom. Flowers started dropping off almost immediately after I brought it home. Figured it was just time. Then lower leaves started to yellow, shrivel up, and fall off. I thought that perhaps it was being kept too moist because the moss it came in was pretty tightly packed. So, I repotted (maybe not the best of ideas in hindsight). Now, it's 4-5 months since the repotting. It is actively growing new roots but no serious leaf growth. It has four rather measly looking leaves and no signs of anything else new. It is potted in an aircone pot with a mix of bark and moss.

Any thoughts? Maybe I just need to give it more time? Afterall, I do see root growth. Maybe it just needs more strength before it starts to produce more leaves?

TIA!

Debbie

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Comments (4)

xmpraedicta
14 years ago
Hi Debbie,

Nobby's Amy was my first orchid, and it's a very beautiful hybrid; the flowers have great substance and shape. I don't think you should worry about the leaf growth if you're getting good roots. How are the existing leaves? And how were the roots when you unpotted?
counselor4444
Original Author
14 years ago
Calvin,
Thanks for the response. The roots were actually ok when I repotted (I was surprised), but since then I've been getting lots of new root growth. The roots look very healthy right now. The four leaves that are there right now are small but appear ok. They are "stunted" in my opinion- they look smaller then perhaps what they should be.

~Debbie
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cjwatson
14 years ago
The fact that it was blooming in November seems to suggest it may have been imported and now is a bit confused as to its seasons.

As you have probably noticed from other Phals, they mostly grow in phases. First phase is root growth. If they are getting sufficient food and water, the next phase is leaf growth and they will put out several new leaves quickly (Phals do not grow leaves all year round) and then, after the leaves reach about full-size, the plant will start its flower spikes. After blooming, the plants will generally rest for a bit and not do much of anything. Then, it starts over with new root growth.

I don't think you set back your plant by repotting it unless a number of live roots were damaged. Phals do not generally mind being repotted at any growth phase as long as the roots are undamaged. Your plant will catch up and start producing leaves shortly, and the next thing you know, some spikes will be starting, hopefully by mid-fall to early winter (my Phal hybrids don't spike until spring here because the greenhouse is too cool for their liking in winter).

Nobby's Amy is a beautiful Phal. I have been tempted to buy one -- if I had room.
orchid126
14 years ago
CJ Watson is spot on. You might consider upping the light just a tad.

Having issues with Phal Nobby's Amy

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xmpraedicta

counselor4444
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Having issues with Phal Nobby's Amy

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xmpraedicta

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