Phal W/Dying Yellow Top Leaves...Help!!

[missjones12383]

Hi,

I posted this to the beginner forum and received some good feedback on how to address. I also wanted to reach out to encourage any additional insight on why it could be occurring.

Hi,
First time poster. I've had my phal since this late summer and have it sitting on a table near the window with medium to low light. I repot it in Aug. I noticed about 2 months ago the leaves on the top turned yellow. I used hydrogen peroxide to clean the roots thinking there was a problem there. I also had to clip the roots and repot again in October. Nothing is wrong with the bottom leaves. The medium I use is better gro special orchid mix. I haven't used fertilizers since I got it and water once per week. I took pics of the temp of the sun room it's in. I'm just not sure what to do. The roots were not rotted when I used the peroxide some were dry and yellowed. I just figured it was the medium. Help!

Thanks,
MsB

[WaltB]

Hi MissJones,

This is a case when too much things go wrong at the same time.

The dying top leaves (crown) is caused by having water standing in the crown. Phals are very sensitive for this and that is why they grow in the wild mostly upside down or horizontal.

I had a couple of given phals who recovered from this so... Just gently cut the brown leaves and let nature do the rest. They can overcome this but it will take some time.

Second, your humidity and temp are way off and you can see that on your leaf colouration.

Try to step up the surrounding humidity ( no water in the crown! ) Orchids enjoy beeing somehwat clustered with each other so the surrounding humidity is somewhat higher.

A saucer with water besides the pot would be a great addition, or even better, a wet sponge.

Don't use peroxide again and especially not when you were cutting the leaves with the fresh wounds...

This is a bad case, but whatever you do, DON'T throw it away. If it will bloom again in the future all things were worth it

[missjones12383]

WaltB, thanks for your response! I guess I overlooked standing water in the crown. I only used the peroxide when cleaning the roots, but have stopped using. I was concerned about the humidity, but wasn't sure if it was okay due to it getting colder outside. I will definitely use the saucer. Do you think it would be okay to use a little cinnamon after cutting the leaves? I'm very hopeful! !

Sincerely,
MsBiz

[lotis146]

Cinnamon is like a cauterizing agent for wounds, just don't use on roots as that will dry them. So if you cut leaves or bulbs, etc. cover the cut with cinnamon and that should protect it.

[missjones12383]

Okay perfect. I'm trying that. I will hopefully have good news to post in the future. Thanks!

Sincerely,
MsBiz

[orchids44]

lMHO - it looks like a pest is munching on it - maybe scale or mites. They love low humidity and stagnant air.