Phal Leaf Dying
 

Last month, there was lots of new root growth and a new leaf growing on my phal sogo grape. However, the bottom leaf has gradually turned lighter and now is pretty pruny and not looking so great. It hasn't dried out yet, but it will probably fall off soon. I know that it is common for bottom leaves to drop but this doesn't have many leaves to begin with. Once it drops, I'll have 2 leaves and a new one forming. Should I be concerned? Should I leave that leaf and wait for it to drop on its own? Thanks for the advice!

Susan

I wouldn't be concerned if the rest of the leaves are in good shape and your roots are good. I would let it fall off on it's own. If you let it dry all the way you will eventually be able to just touch it and it will fall off.

Hi Susan,

I would check the roots right away. I noticed that the other leaves are also pretty dark and reddish. I wonder if the plant is getting too much light. The anthocyanins are the red in the leaf that is sloughing off. Normally, that indicates that the plant is trying to protect itself from too much light.

I like to keep the old dying leaves on the plant as long as possible. I'm not sure if this is true, but the plant may re-absorb nutrients from the dying leaf. It certainly re-absorbed all the chlorophyll. When the plant is ready, it will just let go of the leaf. I will admit, though, that sometimes I lose patience and pull it off before the plant lets go. Good luck!

John

Can you take a picture of the other leaves? They do appear to be more purple than anything. Definitely check the roots. If your roots are good and the purple color is not as pronounced on the other leaves, I would just move it a little away from the light source. I have phal leaves with a lot of deep purple on them. It's from higher light and not anything to worry about. But, if your other leaves start to look in bad shape then I would be concerned. Mine are doing great with their purple and green leaves.

Hi John & Amanda,

The roots are in very good condition. The whole thing slumped over one day when I was watering so I repotted it so I could anchor it down to keep it from shifting. They are a medium green color. I have it growing in an eastern facing window where it gets full morning sun. The other leaf is an odd shape; my guess is that it struggled to transition in my environment as the original sphag was not drying out.

The current leaves are an olive color with a purplish-slight red underside. When I originally purchased it, the front side of the leave had a unique pattern while the back side was red. The pattern now is gone. :( I've posted some photos of what it looked like originally and now for comparison:

What it looked like when I first purchased it:
Photo 1 (one on the left)
Photo 2

A few weeks ago

Aerial view of what it is now

So does this mean I should put a sheer curtain in to block out some light? LOL Meanwhile I just cleaned the windows in hopes of letting in more light. Thanks again for the help!

Susan

I'm sorry to say that I think the leaf on the right in the most recent photo looks like it might on its way out too. If the roots are good, the only thing I can think of is that the hydroton is not retaning enough moisture. Do the other leaves feel leathery or plump and firm? If they feel leathery, it is a sign that it is dehydrated. You might pick up the watering schedule, or pick a more water retentive potting mix. I don't use hydroton, so I can't really say anything about it.

That deformed leaf stopped growing for a while when I changed it to bark from sphag. Then all the leaves died and that's when I put it into recovery. When there were small root nubs growing, I decided I was going to try s/h and it took to it. The leaves are firm and plump. It's standing tall on its own and definitely not floppy. Any idea why the pattern is gone? Should I put it behind a sheer curtain?

Hmm... that bottom leaf just fell off.