Wow, 40 cm! That *seems* long, doesn't it?
Sometimes in low light conditions leaves grow large in order to collect more
light. So you'd have to look at the color of the leaf. If its a lush green
then that's not right. The leaves should be somehwhat lighter. Grass green
rather than houseplant (philodendron) green.
Sometimes mature phal leaves actually are 40 cm long. Depends on the
plant's parentage. Some of the classic white phals can get leaves that big
on a mature plant, so don't worry.
Also, remember orchids can sulk and can take a year to acclimate to its new
surroundings. So again, don't worry. It may just be getting used to you.
Additionally, remember most phals only bloom once a year and at the same
time of the year. I think this has something to do with daylength, either
lengthening or shortening. (I forget which and IMHO it doens't really matter
as long as the damn things blooms, *G*) But in any case, you say yours has
dropped its blooms over time, so it will bloom again same time next year.
Don't expect a new leaf in 5 weeks, like I say its probably just getting
used to you. But I think you'd see a new root pretty soon in response to
the repot (next 1-2 months). Orchids aren't like regular houseplants. They
have minds of their own. You won't see immediate results. You have to learn
patience. Treat it consistently, it will learn its new regimen and respond.
Which brings up another thing. Diurnal fluctuation (I love that word).
Remember that any phal needs at least a 10 degree (F) difference between
daytime high temps and nightime low temps in order to bloom. You can't keep
it at 70F all year long and expect it to bloom. It won't do it. Set you
home's thermostat to be no less than 60(F) at night (for while you are snug
in bed asleep), and 72(F) or so during the day (while you are up and around)
and you'll be comfortable and so will your plant.
You say the original owner cut the roots flush with the pot's edge. Were
those only the aerial roots? Or the ones in the pot too? If only the aerial
roots don't sweat it. The ones in the pot make up for them.
As Ray says too much fertilizer can be too much of a good thing. Make sure
you are using it at 1/2 the strength the manufacturer recommends on the
label.
Do all that and you'll be up to your neck in blooms this time next year.
K Barrett
"White Monkey" wrote in message
...
Some of you may remember that a couple of months ago I posted about a phal
I
rescued. Someone had been trimming the roots flush with the edges of the
pot
for God knows how long, and the poor thing had four gigantic leaves, I
mean
HUGE, and no new growth whatsoever. Well, nothing has changed. Since I
picked it up, it lost the flowers it had naturally over time, and has sat
here making those leaves bigger and nothing else. It has not put anything
out the crown, started a new spike, lengthened any roots, anything at all.
It just keeps looking generally unhappy, and throwing all its energy into
enlarging these giant leaves. The leaves are fleshy and stiff but they
droop
due to their sheer size, and one is hypertrophied in the middle so that it
has started to split along the vein. There is no sign of rot, fungus, etc.
No spots on the leaves, and the leaves are a good color. The leaves are
currently about 40 cm. x 10 cm. I repotted it around five weeks ago.
Anyone have any suggestions for turning this fellow around?
Thanks,
Katrina
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