Help with my faltering Phal

[Agrippa]

Well, I apologize for invading your board, as I have absolutely no experience with orchids, but I seem to have run into a problem with the orchid my girlfiriend gave me. It's just a standard Phaleonopsis that I've had for about 6 months now, but it's developing some rather strange symptome. The bottome leaves fell off, and the ones left are turning yellow and soft. In addition, there's a spot on another of the leaves. If any of you would have any idea of what's going on here or how to remedy it, I would greatly appreciate your help. Sorry again, I know some of you are just shaking your heads in dismay, but like I said, I have absolutely no experience with these rather amazing plants. I've included a picture of the affliction. Thanks.

eew

[Phantasm]

It looks like it has a bad case of sunburn....Phalaenopsis don't need bright light, just good filtered lighting.. If you want a good plant for this much light, a vanda would be the choice.

[Agrippa]

In truth, I just want to keep this one alive and healthy, as it's of some sentimental value to me. I did recently move it right next to a north(ish) facing window, so perhaps I'll move it further away and in a more shaded place. Thanks for the help. If anyone thinks differently, please feel free to tell me, as I'm more than happy to listen to any opinions.

[Ross]

No! I see rot and plenty of it. It may have started with sunburn, the soft yellowish condition of the leaves suggests over-watering. I keep mine in a south-facing window (45 degrees latitude) but about 24" away from window and behind other plants. An east window would be ideal (right against the window). Here are the things to avoid:

1) Over-watering. It appears your plant is either planted in sphagnum moss or has sphagnum as a covering. You MUST get air to the roots! I can't overstate that. If the roots are all brown, then it has been over-watered and left wet too much. Don't water more than twice a week - mine get watered once a week in a dry, central-heated house.

2) If this were my plant, I would get it out of the mix (dump everything out) then cut off the bad section of leaf with a clean razor blade. I would shake cinnamon all over the cuts and wet looking areas, I would trim all the brown, dead-looking roots, I would place it in a large plastic bag with a very small opeing and leave it that way in a shady spot (north window is fine) until you see new roots spring out of the base. If 3-4 months pass with no response or if it gets worse, then it may be too far gone.

Now this is just how I would treat it. If, by the way, you get the plant out of pot and the roots look healthy (not brown and mushy) get rid of the sphagnum (it's possibly just a cosmetic covering) dry out the bark overnight and repot in the same bark (I trust you don't have proper repotting supplies). Hope this helps.

[Tindomul]

Isn't that rot? Looks it to me. All the leaves are going. Check the roots, see if it still has any good ones. Check for mites as well.

[Agrippa]

Thanks everyone for the information. I'll take rsfrid's advice and take it out completely and hope it regenerates. It has a mixture of sphagnum and orchid bark, just about 1:1 so I guess it just retained too much moisture. Thanks again, and wish me luck.

[Ross]

If it's really important to you, consider buying some orchid bark. There are lots of vendors listed under Orchid Top Sites - Rankings - All Sites Just check them out.

[justatypn]

Odds are it's rot.

turning yellow and soft.

I see plenty of sphag. moss which in turn keeps plants moist, not something that a phal is overly impressed about. I would buy orchid bark, I'm not one for tucking orchids back in used bark. You never know what lurks in the bark/moss that the naked eye can not see. Good luck and keep us posted....

[Agrippa]

Alright, well, believe it or not, I did actually have orchid bark, but in my vast ignorance, I just used too much sphagnum (perhaps the inclusion of any sphagnum was too much,) so I took rsfrid's advice and uprooted the plant, cut off the bad section of the leaf, along with any brown roots, shook cinnimon over everything, and left it under the window. So, with any luck, I'll be seeing some new roots within a month or two, so thanks to everyone for the help. If it sprouts anything, I'll be sure to let you all know! Thanks again.

[Ross]

Way to go! Never sphagnum (notta) with Phals! Need lottsa air, truley! You actually can grow these things in pots of marbles if you care to. The medium serves to anchor the plant. They don't tolerate dry roots, but what is worse is constantly wet roots. Given the correct blend, these things are weeds as house plants. If you are like I was starting out when I was in my "water everything heavy" stage, opt for the pot of marbles. I'm serious here. Hope it all works out for you. If not, it won't be cause you didn't try.