What to Do When a Phalaenopsis Orchid Stops Growing? Causes and Solutions Explained
As you get to know Phalaenopsis orchids better, I believe every time you bring a new plant home to grow, you'll have a different experience. Sometimes when you've been growing Phalaenopsis for a long time, the problems you run into may not be the same every time, but for growers who have cared for them many times, you gradually start to take things in stride, because their native environment and home care are always different, and it's normal for a few problems to come up.
Among the many Phalaenopsis problems, today let's talk about the situation where the plant stops growing. What is a stalled orchid? Generally there are two obvious signs. The first is that the top two leaves have already grown as large as they can, yet no new leaf ever appears, as if the plant has stopped developing. The second is that after much effort a new leaf finally emerges, but for a long time it only grows a tiny bit, with no sign of continuing to grow larger.
Generally speaking, when the stalled growth mentioned above occurs, the problem is most likely that the root system cannot absorb nutrients properly. If you run into this situation, it's advisable to change it to a new medium first, such as sphagnum moss, bark, or clay pebbles, giving its roots a comfortable new "home" first, which amounts to letting the root system work in a new environment; it may then resume growth.
Secondly, when you find its roots and growth have stalled, you will basically never see crystal tips, because newly grown roots wither and dry up before they have time to grow crystal tips. In this case, root rot is usually caused by insufficient airflow; when it is both wet and hot, the roots are reluctant to grow. At this time, it's advisable to place it in a cool, well-ventilated spot for airflow.
Then, there is also the situation where watering too much may cause the crystal tips to turn black. If you encounter this kind of situation, you can try applying a little less vitality booster (available at specialty orchid shops). However, when watering, be careful not to let it touch the roots, otherwise the water temperature will shock them and they will grow even less.
Finally, there is also the problem caused by fertilizer, small white pills, or insecticide accidentally touching the roots on the surface. Therefore, it is recommended that since newly grown roots are rather fragile, try not to let them come into contact with such chemical substances; using the soaking method to water is safer.
