Leaves Up or Leaves Down?

by Maria
(London, UK)

Greetings, and Thanks in Advance!

I bought my first orchid, a Phalaenopsis, and its leaves were turned down: a nice, healthy, succulent green. I have had it since Easter 2012 and it is currently (September 2012) blooming for the third time. The leaves remain turned down. The plant looks very healthy. The bottom-most leaf dropped after I had had the orchid for about 6 weeks; another bottom-most leaf dropped late in August. New leaves came in, growing first upward & then beginning to curve down as they got longer.

I bought my second orchid, another Phalaenopsis, same variety, same source, about a month ago. It is still in full bloom with many blossoms, just gorgeous. All the leaves are directed upward; they are less long and there are also new leaves coming in. All the leaves look healthy.

I have been keeping an eye out to see how others grow orchids and mostly I see Phals with upturned leaves. Should I be concerned about the leaves on the first of my orchids? Is there a "correct" way to orient the leaves? Is it an indication of health?

I am still working on getting watering just right; I use a daily mist sprayer with orchid food nutrients in it that appears to be helping. In both cases roots are still mostly healthy & strong green ones.

Comments for Leaves Up or Leaves Down?

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Sep 27, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Cable's Reply
by: Cable Thompson

I would not be concerned about how the leaves orient themselves. Different Phals will orient them a bit differently. Partly they are responding to the lighting conditions, as they grew, too. In nature, some Phals grow sideways or even downward, to avoid water collecting in the crown and causing rot. So the plants vary the leaf positions, sometimes for a good reason and sometimes for no reason at all. Also, the leaf shapes sometimes are changed by how plants are packaged in shipping. Whatever the reason, leaf orientation not something you need to worry about.

Sep 30, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thank you!
by: Maria

What an excellent resource this site is!

I am greatly reassured.

Sep 30, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Glad to help! NEW
by: Cable Thompson

Thanks! I appreciate the compliment.

Jan 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Orchid leaves NEW
by: SLB

Thanks for the comment about leaf orientation. Much appreciated.

Jan 16, 2016
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Orchid leaves NEW
by: SLB

Thanks for the comment about leaf orientation. Much appreciated.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Growing Orchids for Beginners.

Share This Page:

Like this page? Please pay it forward! Here's how…