The Orchid Garden

Phalenopsis leaves, How many?

Question:

Hi Terry, I have only been growing orchids for about a year and a half.  However, I may be wrong when I say this, however many leaves the phal has is alright with the plant.  The plant will decided when it will want to drop its lower leaves.   I have not read anything which states that a phal MUST have two leaves. I have a phal. schilleriana which has five leaves at the moment.  The plant has not bloomed yet, but it seems content right now.  I would like to see what others have to say about this. Kevin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am a novice orchid grower.  I have a few beautiful Phalenopsis but I’m really unclear about their culture.  One person told me that there should only be 2 leaves on the plant.  If you have more, you should pull them off, otherwise you are sapping strength from flower production.  However in the greenhouse, some of the Phals have quite a few leaves.  This is probably a dumb question, but would someone please clear this up for me? Any help would be appreciated Terry in NJ

Response:

: should only be 2 leaves on the plant.  If you have more, you should : pull them off, otherwise you are sapping strength from flower : production.  However in the greenhouse, some of the Phals have quite a Eek! Geez, I’ll dress up as that person for Halloween. In a plant, mature leaves are sources of energy (via photosynthesis) and young leaves, roots, and flowers are sinks of energy (they use up more photosynthesis products than they produce). Plants have evolved (hey, even the Pope recognizes this now) a huge complex system of controls that allows them to balance an efficient amount of leaves, stems, roots, etc. If a plant wants to drop extra leaves (after it breaks down the compunds within and transports them elsewhere in the plant), it will. You don’t need to do it for them (unless a leaf has a significant pathogen that can only be excised via amputation). -j

Response:

I am a novice orchid grower.  I have a few beautiful Phalenopsis but I’m really unclear about their culture.  One person told me that there should only be 2 leaves on the plant.  If you have more, you should pull them off, otherwise you are sapping strength from flower production.  However in the greenhouse, some of the Phals have quite a few leaves.  This is probably a dumb question, but would someone please clear this up for me? Any help would be appreciated Terry in NJ

Response:

Filed under: Growing Orchids

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