What is going on?

[Tindomul]

You might have some mites. Do the white paper towel test. Wet a white paper towel, clean the surface and underside of your leaves, and if you get red stains, or dust on the towel, you got yourself some mites.

[puddin]

Nope. The paper towel was clean.

[Lagoon]

Puddin,

Not all mites are red in color nor do they all web.
Check the roots for any rot that might be occuring, the photos are small but it looks to me that this 'chid is a bit deep down inside the pot - pull back the media from the outside of the crown area, keep this area free.

[puddin]

It's deep in the pot, but there was no media around the crown.
The black area I just found. I pressed it and it broke instanly. I put cinnamon on the wound, most likely to much. Is this the cause? This thing better not die on me.

[Lagoon]

Sounds like crown rot
I've got a phal going thru the same thing, I'll be dammed if I know where that came from. I'm using a bulb dust "captain 5%" I'm hoping it will work.

I'm also hoping you will see new growth, keep the area dry as possible and fanned if you can.

G'luck!

[puddin]

ARE YOU SERIOUS! S*@t!

[The Orchid Shop]

Have you looked at the roots. What kind of condition are they in? Crown rot sets in when the plant is too wet and cold with not enough air movement. Root rot sets in when the plant is kept too wet or inconsistently watered. The yellowing leaves are a sign of stress

[tbaenziger]

Puddin,
This Phalaenopsis wants you to worry about it, some of them just demand constant fretting. Have you watered really well and then let it dry out enough? Yellowing of many leaves usually means too much water for me, and I do have a heavy and too-frequent hand on some of my babies.
The new growth may be a giant root trying to break through, to compensate for soggy feet.
Have you taken the plant out of the pot to see the state of the roots? Please do not faint, even flowering Phalaenopsis can take this move if they are not attached to the pot. If it is in sphagnum moss, which I suspect from the purchase date and your photos, this could be the problem: asphyxiation of the root system.

[puddin]

I took it out of the media. It was sufficating. Poor thing. It was PACKED with spag. moss. Had some good, thick roots, though. It's now in a bark mix I picked up at Lowes. All of my other orchids, except for a few, are in this mix. I really hope it lives. The rot looks like it has stopped, for now.

[gmdiaz]

Whew!

Good work puddin!