phals loosing new leaves

[lakesusy]

I have been a fan of orchids for many years. For all flower holidays, I have requested orchids as opposed to cut flowers. But with the mindset that cut flowers are gone in a week and an orchid will last several months. Until I got an orchid that bloomed continually for over 2 years! It always had at least 1 big beautiful flower! At some point, it produced a big, very healthy keiki with lots of roots and then expired. That was the beginning!
I love reading all the different opinions and methods! One says spritz, one says never wet the leaves. And they all work!! They make me brave enough to try different things!

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by lakesusy

I love reading all the different opinions and methods! One says spritz, one says never wet the leaves. And they all work!! They make me brave enough to try different things!

Nice comments lakesusy. The wetting of leaves and not-wetting of leaves can sometimes be a choice - depending on whether the orchid is indoors or outdoors. For outdoors - probably no choice. But can be a choice for indoors or sheltered.

An important factor is knowing about certain mechanisms that could cause issues for orchids if leaves or portions of stem remain wet for relatively long periods of time - particularly in an environment that doesn't have much (or any) air-movement. Eg. fungal activity, bacterial activity etc.

While orchids can (and do) well for some growers in relatively still-air environments, we sometimes do see and hear of reports of growers abruptly observing rot of some sort on stems and leaves. This could be a result of what could be expected from still-air environments. It could also be the result of something else.

But - for indoor growing - if we are able to do things to cut down on (or even eliminate) issues for an orchid, then that would be a beneficial thing - for the orchid and the grower.

Indoors - if air-movement is reasonably good, and the environment allows the leaves (and water built up at base of leaves) to dry within some desired/recommended amount of time, then that's expected to be beneficial for the indoor growing orchid.

For anybody that grows orchids indoors and wets the leaves, stem, crown etc ....... no problem. It's ok to do that if the orchid remains healthy year after year after year after year after year etc. But if anything nasty is encountered (rot etc), then at least there is a Plan B or Plan C knowledge of what could be applied to avoid the issue.

[early]

I only use H2o2 if I am repotting a rehab orchid in S/H and find root rot from degraded bark or wet spah.

As a nurse, I agree 3% is too strong for an open wound unless it is older and infected them it is appropriate. I have used 3% to clean new surgical wounds with out problems, but for an injury on myself or others, I only use half-strength of the 3% because it can destroy healing.

I once filled in an industrial nursing job and went to use the peroxide in a contain that was who knows how old and probably well evaporated and severely burned my finger, turning it white for a few day, so I agree...careful with H2O2

[lakesusy]

I've had the same experience with peroxide and have used it to remove a wart. But I also have used it to clean many wounds since I'm OLD and my Momma taught me to!! It seems to speed healing in my experience.

[early]

maybe your peroxide was greater than 3% like the one I used. Ps I am 78 but not old yet; at 84 my mom said she still felt like 17, I think I feel more like 40 cause I was having such a good time around the 1980s. We were too poor in MO to afford h2o2, it was iodine and mercurochrome in the 40's but mostly water or do the dishes Sis.

[lakesusy]

Well, I am 79 and how old I feel depends on whether your talking to my mind or my body!! I am sure I've got good old full powered peroxide!! I had plenty of the other stuff too and still believe you have to blow on it to keep it from hurting!! Iodine was the worst!!
I am going to attach a picture of one of my orchids that has an odd thing happening to one of it's leaves. Found this on two plants. Is it nutrition or disease?

[SouthPark]

lakesusy ------ is that white filament or threads on the leaf? Possibly some insect attack. Eg. scale, mealybug or something. This is assuming it's not dust.

If it is insect attack, maybe spray on some imidacloprid - if you have it available in your region. It should be ok for indoor usage.

[lakesusy]

It is almost like the top layer of flesh on the leaf is sloughing off. That's what it looks like to me. Hard to get a picture that shows it clearly.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by lakesusy

It is almost like the top layer of flesh on the leaf is sloughing off. That's what it looks like to me. Hard to get a picture that shows it clearly.

Is it dry? If hard and dry - then that should be ok.

If the newest leaves are in good health (except for the cut-off ones) then that will be nice.

Having assorted optional treatments of systematic fungicide (suitable for orchids) can help with dealing with whatever is causing the rot.

And - to help the orchid along - go for gentle air-flow in the growing area, good temperature (recommended growing temperature range), and use airy media that prevents water-logging of roots and media, and also use a pot that has very good drainage - which means number and size of holes at the bottom should be large enough to allow water to drain very easily out of the pot, which also provides paths for air to flow into or out of the pot at the bottom. Also - for the phal, provide medium level light intensity (and no direct sunlight unless we know that the phal can somehow handle - such as sun-hardened).

Check to see if any of the beneficial conditions above (related to air-flow, temperature etc) are missing or not satisfied.

And avoid watering the leaves and stem of the phal. Water the media and roots only.

[aliceinwl]

It looks like sunburn to me. Any chance it could have been hit with some direct sun?