Orchid problem...please help/Special plant to me

14 years ago

Okay...am not sure where to start,but will try to give all info I can.First let me say that this Orchid is very special to me so I want to do everything I can to care for it.The plant will be 4 years old in feb. & about 2 months ago I repotted it to a size bigger pot(not knowing how)because the roots where growing over the sides of the pot.Summer months I keep it out side & it always puts out new leafs as it has this year.When I repotted it, I cut the dead roots with steril cutters & used Orchid bark. I couldn't get all the roots in the pot so i did the best I could & hoped for the best.The problem that concerns me is some leafs have yellowed and I have removed one but thought I'd better post a pic so I can get some advise about these other 2 that need removed.Notice in one pic the bloom stem emerging.Any advise on why the leafs are doing this?Should I repot & somehow put all the roots in the Orchid mix?Could it be too little water or too much? I do use orchid fertilizer about one time a month.Help me please and thanks so mu{{gwi:200779}}ch in advance. {{gwi:200781}}

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Comments (9)

greenfingernail
14 years ago
I think some of it may be adjustment to the new pot;
they say the pot should be tightly packed even though bigger, (though mine loosen up when I water due to poor drain holes);
If all other things are the same then it may be just change of soil and pot and it will stabilize - mine have taken up to 6 months plus to adjust.

Another thing may be did you bring it indoors by any chance? which is another adjustment.

Others could tell you if yellow leaves specifically mean watering over/under etc..

Good luck.
smwboxer
14 years ago
Besided being underpotted you orchid looks fine. The roots are nice and heatlthy and besides the two lower leaves, the plant looks great. Remember, even orchids loose an old leaf from time to time. I'd suggest repotting into a 8-10" clay pot.
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orchidnick
14 years ago
Agreed, when you repot, the air roots are a very healthy part of the plant. By trying to stuff them into the new pot you'll break them. Leave them out, the plant grew them for a reason. They can be misted on a daily basis, benefits the plant and makes the owner feel that more love is transferred to the plant.

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flower_fairy09
Original Author
14 years ago
Greenfingernail / smwboxer
Thank you both for your responce.I've read all I can find about repotting,what type of soil... it just gets confusing because I read where some say it's ok for some roots to be exposed & some said it wasn't...is okay to repot next size pot but read where they like to be root bound.So with conflicting information, I just went with next size pot.
(I also sterilized the orchid bark before repoting.)
smwboxer,your comment about the old leaf makes sence....the leafs that are yellowing ARE the older ones..so maybe I can quit stressing about it :-)
greenfingernail, yes I have brought all my plants in 2 days ago because our over night low was too chilly for them to be out.Thank you both so much for your input :-)
richardol
14 years ago
I would not be too concerned at this point. I see an actively growing root tip, always a good sign. And the leaves you are losing are the bottom leaves which is the normal place.

I think it is just readjusting to the new pot. It almost looks as if the bark is not really down among the roots, but I can't really tell.

If you have someone who can come over and show you about repotting then I would repot to get the plant more upright. If not, I would leave it alone. It looks fine, and you can't argue with a developing spike.
xmpraedicta
14 years ago
Great advice from everyone as usual...just one additional thing is to let the leaves drop off on their own. The plant is still drawing energy from them as they yellow, so let them get dry and then they will break off quite naturally :)
jane__ny
14 years ago
Looks like a spike starting (unless its a root). Plant looks good, just normal leaf drop.

Jane
flower_fairy09
Original Author
14 years ago
Nick,Richardol,Calvin & Jane
Thank you all for your help...sure have put a smile on my face.My baby has bloomed for me every year and she looks like she's not going to fail me this year either.
If you look real good you'll be able to see that the plant has grown sideways...as if it got top heavy...I tried to repot it where it would be more up-right but that was impossible.Maybe I can figure a way to get it more up-right.Calvin...thank you for advising not to cut off the yellow leafs because I didn't know...will be sure to leave them be.Thank you all again for your help...I feel alot better now. :-)
albertan
14 years ago
You mentioned that you sterilized the bark before repotting. How? Did you remember to thoroughly soak it before using it?

Orchid problem...please help/Special plant to me

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Orchid problem...please help/Special plant to me

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