Will a monopodial plant continue to grow new leaves if the newest leaf is damaged?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

I had a quick question about monopodial orchids. I have two angraecoids that had a rot on the top newest leaves that occurred during shipment. I cut off the leaf that was rotting. Example posted below.

Will the plant continue to grow new leaves on that growth or is that it for that growth?

[Roberta]

As long as the rot doesn't get down into the crown (the growth point) it will continue to produce new leaves. Physan solution may be helpful to flush the crown area to stop any rot that is still present.

[Afid]

Also, angrecoids tend to branch readily so even if the crown stops growing it is quite likely that they will send out side shoots.

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

Thank you for your replies.

The rot is thankfully long gone. It has been stable for several weeks.

I am just not sure if the crown was damaged or not.

How will I know this?

I am not quite sure where the crown is. I know it is in the center, but I am not quite sure where the new leaf ends and the crown begins. I am worried I could have cut part of the crown when I removed the leaf as I cut the new leaf off very close to the leaf’s base.

[Roberta]

I think this is the time to sit back and just observe the plant. You have done what you could. Either with more leaves from the main growth, or with basal keikis (or both) I think you can expect your plants to grow and survive (and thrive) with good care.

[BrassavolaStars]

Hopefully the crown continues growing. It is also good that this particular plant has a large second growth.

[Ray]

"The crown" is simply the center of the gathering of leaves at the center of the plant. I suspect it got its colloquial name because just like a royal crown, which would gather water if snug to the scalp, it is where water can sit.

The "growth front" or "tip" - the shoot apical meristem where cells are generated - is actually slightly under that. It the infection did not reach it, a new leaf will still grow from it. If it did, chances are the plant will either create a new growth apex as a basal keiki on the existing structure, or an entire new, separable plant as often happens with angraecoids.