Phalaenopsis with unusual leaf change: advice? Last resort!

[Yanquister]

This has been posted in a couple of forums, but members directed me to repost in OTHER columns so I was a little confused (please don't consider this spam, I apologize for the inconvenience if I misunderstood. Below if my original message with photo.

Need help with a Phal please! I tried to read all through the sticky and (unless I missed it, for which I deeply apologize), what in the world is happening to this leaf? This has been one of my happier plants and they have all given me year round blooms AND a priceless hobby (flowering spikes or not). The last couple of days I noticed this one had a withering leaf, and my water schedule (around every 8-10 days in this humid climate in south MS/LA area), but the leaf looks horrible! Has something gone wrong or is this natural? My others have never done this (yet), and as of now they have all been perfectly healthy and flowering on their own time (one phal after blooming four months miraculously showed up with two new spikes, and this one was considered one of my healthier ones! Please? Any advice to give this worried phal lover please?? (I've tried to attach a photo but I'm using my iPhone, please let me know if it doesn't work!)

Thanks so much guys, you and all your info/input is just a wealth of information that I read religiously!!!

[OhioBob]

It looks like this leaf is starting to die. Pretty normal except usually the bottom leaf dies, not one of the middle one. I have had middle leafs die out of sequence but usually it was traumatized somehow (i.e. sunburn, cut or crushed). The other leafs look fine so I wouldn't worry about the plant. I usually wait until the leaf turns yellow before cutting it off. Some plants try to reabsorb some nutrients and minerals from the dying leaf but I am not sure if orchids do this.

[Yanquister]

Thank you so much for your reply! Ill definitely let it yellow some before cutting it. The picture doesn't shown it well but it actually IS the bottom leaf. How far down should I cut it? I've heard multiple answers and I know each has their own method, but what do you believe to be the best? Cut it flush?

[silken]

I also wonder if the plant is a bit dehydrated. the leaves don't look real plump but the picture may be deceiving. It looks like rock in the media so it may not be holding much moisture.

I agree, if it is the bottom leaf I wouldn't be too concerned. I myself would let it die on it's own and fall off unless it begins to look infected.

[quiltergal]

I agree with Silken. The plant will drop the leaf when it is done with it.