Terminal Leaf? Phal Trouble - Orchid Board

LittleWatty · #1 12-09-2012, 09:27 AM

I've been trying to bring this poor Phal back from the brink of death for the past several months. It lost a fair number of leaves, but has put in a few as well, and the root system looks healthy, so I thought it was making a comeback. However... I think its got a problem. The leaf that is currently coming in looks very wrong. It reminds me of a terminal spike, but its not a spike, its a leaf. I did some searching around, and found some information on terminal leaves, but it didn't sound like it could happen to a Phal. So... any ideas as to what this might be?

To further describe what might not be seen in the pictures: It looks like it should be a normal leaf, but what would be the edges of the leaf join about halfway down. Half of it looks like a stem of some sort, the other half looks like a normal (albeit small) leaf.

Please note: I'm aware of how poor the orchid looks. Like I said, I've been trying to bring it back from the brink of death. It was severely dehydrated when I purchased it, and lost about 75% of its root mass because of it. The plant is on the mend.

bballr4567 · #2 12-09-2012, 10:05 AM

It could just be a much larger than anticipated leaf from the good conditions its in. One of my orchids is hap hazard with its leaf sizes as one is about 1" and the other is 4" and it started out like your leaf.

mattryan · #3 12-09-2012, 10:23 AM

I think maybe there might have been a problem with the crown, but it fixed itself as I have I that looks like yours. It is currently growing a spike. Here's some pics.
I wouldn't worry it seems to be doing ok. Goodluck!

Cheryl

escualida · #4 12-09-2012, 04:16 PM

I think it will be fine, one of mine started doing that and the leaf kept growing, eventually it looked like it had been pinched together in the middle, I fiddled around with it and eventually it all opened. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Bud · #5 12-09-2012, 06:32 PM

No worries, its a new leaf growing where it should be....I dont see anything wrong, just continue your culture and care and show us pictures of the future blooms....

LittleWatty · #6 12-09-2012, 06:52 PM

I took a closer look at it today, and it turns out the edges of the leaf were just pinned together. With a little coaxing, they separated. For whatever reason they were stuck together though, which I find strange.

Stray59 · #7 12-09-2012, 08:14 PM

Well, then it took care of itself. I had not read you last post before I posted about how I thought this would correct itself; this is an edited message. So glad to hear it was only a 'sticky'!
Rescued orc's are like 'pound puppies' in that you don't know what they went through before you got them and you don't know how they will respond to your loving care. Some will form such odd growth in response.
Enjoy your resuce - it looks very happy now!
Steve