AboutJim Kawasaki Expertise Orchids, primarily cymbidiums (including Chinese cymbidiums) with limited knowledge about phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, cattleyas, paphiopedilums, phragmepediums plus some other miscellaneous orchids. Have been growing cymbidium orchids for 30+ years with only the past 15 years being a serious hobby grower.
Experience Member of 3 orchid clubs and 2 international orchid societies (AOS, CSA). Greatest accomplishment is not having killed all my orchids, but given time I may still succeed. That they are still alive is living testimony to their hardiness and toughness.
Expert: Jim Kawasaki Date: 8/18/2008 Subject: Phal. Orchid
Question What causes the Phal. Orchid leaves to get wrinkled and soft? Is it Too much water, not enough? I live in Eastern North carolina and the orchids are in my greenhouse until bloom, then come inside. Help would be great!
Answer Hello Sandi,
Actually the answer is that it could be either too much or too little water. The only way to be certain is to take a look at the roots within the pot. If the roots are mostly soft, mushy and rotten it was caused by too much water. But, if most of the roots are shriveled and dry looking it is too little water.
One other possibility is an insect infestation such as mealybugs or worse - scale. Look on the underside of the leafs for white wooly looking patches, if there are quite a few, you have mealybugs. If there are brown or white spots that look sort of like turtle shells, you have scale. Both insects feed on the leaf, sucking out the moisture and cause a slow death of the leaf and eventually the entire orchid plant. To get rid of them you should repot the orchid with fresh orchid potting media and treat it with a systemic insecticide.
By the way, if there were insects on it, you should check your other orchids and plants in the greenhouse for them too.
