Phal w/possible root rot?

[mook1178]

I have a BBS phal that is reblooming. One of the bigger leaves was broken while being moved (without my permission, dang kids!). I have noticed since that broken leaf that the two smaller leaves are turning yellow, both on the same side. The leaves on the other side look great.

While I was home from work I noticed this brown spot on the outside of the crown. Is this crown rot or just the leaf dying? What can I do to help this orchid? I have had it about a year and have not repotted since purchase. I was waiting until after this bloom.

[aliceinwl]

Hopefully some other folks with more experience will chime in too.

I'd be worried about the spot if it were mine. I'd repot immediately with the plant positioned higher in the substrate: I'd want to keep the black area very dry and out of contact with the media. While it's unpotted, I'd dribble some hydrogen peroxide into the leaf axil that has the black spot. I'd have a tissue or something similar in place to absorb any overflow so that it does not contact the roots. Then, I'd use a tissue to wick out any residual moisture from the peroxide remaining in the leaf axil. Then, I'd sprinkle some ground cinnamon into the same leaf axil. I've seen some debate as to whether cinnamon from the spice rack has any appreciable anti-fungal / antibacterial properties, but it does seem to function very well as a desiccant. At the very least, it should dry out the area and make it less hospitable for further fungal or bacterial growth. Once the orchid has been re-potted I'd be very carefull when watering that the crown and leaf axils don't get wet. If there's an accidental splash, use a tissue to wick out the moisture.

There are some commercial anti-fungals etc. that may also be an option, but I don't have experience with them or know if their use would be indicated in your situation. If it is an active infection, it can kill the plant very quickly if it makes it into the crown.

Good luck!

[Ray]

Has that been recently repotted? If so, it might simply be reacting to that.

As neither photo actually shows the crown, I don't know how to respond to that question...

[mook1178]

Thank you for your response.

When I got home from work yesterday I decided to go ahead and repot. I had not seen any replies at this point. That area is drier with the new media now though. I did not cut the bloom. I'm still contemplating that.

I do not think that it is crown rot. I have added better pics of the crown. I do not see any rot in there. I have also thought about cutting that leaf off as well. It seems to be dying anyway.

[Roberta]

I suggest not cutting leaves that look like they are fading... the plant will drop them naturally when they truly are not contributing anything.Anything green is photosynthesizing and thus helping the plant. I see no reason to cut the flowers Phals don't mind being repotted while in bloom.

[mook1178]

Thank yo for the advice Roberta.

About cutting the blooms, I know that cutting the blooms would transition the plant bag into a vegetative state so I thought that might be helpful as the plant is quite stressed. I guess the question is-does the plant look so stressed that all energy should be put back into new growth? The blooms have been around close to a month. So I don't think they will be around much longer. I will definitely cut the blooms stalk once theses flowers die, though.

[Roberta]

I would not even rush to cut the bloom stalk after the flowers die.. One of the ways in which orchids are very efficient is to "recycle" tissue such as flower spikes after they are done. Cutting those is more of an aesthetic thing.. if you can't stand to look at the bare thing or it is in the way, cut. But for the plant, letting it recycle the tissue (it'll eventually turn brown and hard when the plant is done with that process) Phals can stay in bloom for a very long time... I have a couple that came my way at the end of September, in full bloom, which are still in bloom. Enjoy!

[mook1178]

Roberta do you think this Phal is in decent health then? Even with that brown spot?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by mook1178

Roberta do you think this Phal is in decent health then? Even with that brown spot?

I think so. Watch the spot. If it gets bigger, or soft, then surgery might be in order. But if, now that the area can dry out it doesn't change or dries up, you're OK. But if there is a problem, change in treatment of the plant isn't going to cure it - rot spreads from the site of infection and would need to be dealt with locally. But now is the time for observation, not further action, until you know what, if anything, you might be needing to treat.

[mook1178]

Thank you so much for your advice. I am one that ones to fidget with things so I will heed your advice. It's in new media, so I'll just keep an eye on it and leave it be.

The wife will be happy that I don't cut the blooms as well. Double bonus!