I think one of my favorite phals has been ruined

[BrassavolaStars]

I think that this orchid was severely damaged. I put it on the ground for a moment to stake the spike. I walked away for a few minutes. When I returned, the newest leaf was off the plant and the center point was damaged too.

Is this the crown that has been damaged? I think it may be ruined. Does this mean it won’t grow anymore except for a keiki? Is the crown actually damaged or is that just leaf damage? I posted pictures below of both the top of the plant and the leaf that broke off. I am so upset. This is a favorite plant and it was growing so well and getting quite large.

[DirtyCoconuts]

hmm, so the last grown leaf and the growth leaf both broke off? i just want to confirm what the pics show.

I would dab a bit of keiki paste in the crown and keep extra extra care to not get water in there.

it might be done but if you can get it to start growing rather than heal, you have a chance.

If there are bracts on the spike, you might also try keiki paste there if the crown does not rebound to save the genes of the plant.

i had a Phal from HD in my office for like two years that was purchased with this condition, No crown, it had plenty of vitality to put out two keikis and a flower spike before i moved it outside where it appears to have made a basal keiki and moved on

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello DirtyCoconuts,

Thank you for your reply.

It was only one leaf that broke off. The leaf that broke was the new growing leaf/growth leaf that was nearly done. It looks like it could have taken part of the crown with it when it broke. It was to be the 7th leaf. The plant has two branching spikes now. I was not particularly interested in keikis from it. I don't think I have any Keiki paste on hand and it would probably take more than a week to get here.

[DirtyCoconuts]

keep it clean and dry and cross your fingers...I hope it works out as i hate losing a longtime friend like that

[JScott]

These plants are tough. Listen to Coconuts. He knows his stuff. I just wanted to add that you shouldn't worry too much. If the plant has roots, the plant will live. The crown is not rotting, so you want to keep it that way and keep water out of there, but all of this is just physical damage, not disease, and the plant will overcome it. If the crown is damaged all the way down, it will grow a side shoot from between the bases of the leaves where the flower spikes usually come out. Your plant is going to be a little unsightly for a while, but it will recover.

[BrassavolaStars]

Thank you all for your encouragement. I was very worried about it. Do you think it is still possible in the future for it to grow new leaves from the top?

[JScott]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

Thank you all for your encouragement. I was very worried about it. Do you think it is still possible in the future for it to grow new leaves from the top?

I think it is. The meristem tissue from which the new leaves grow is way way deep inside the plant. It is possible that yours did not break off far down enough, and a new leaf may still emerge from the crown.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I’ll say this. I have mined a bunch of horrible phals from clearance racks and the back of florists shops. I take crown rot as a challenge!! Lol. I lose most of the time but I have saved several and made many continue living in nontradional ways lol

I agree w JScott, if I had to bet I’d say it will make it if you protect it

I am not sure where in my brain this is coming from but I think I have put a dab of beeswax in there once to keep water out. I am not too sure about that though because I cannot remember ever reading it or where that came from and I generally don’t repeat things without being able to cite to authority. Habit.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

Do you think it is still possible in the future for it to grow new leaves from the top?

If not the top, it will likely sprout a new growth front from the base, still utilizing the existing root structure. Not particularly pretty, but we grow them for their blooms, after all.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

I think that this orchid was severely damaged. I put it on the ground for a moment to stake the spike. When I returned, the newest leaf was off the plant and the center point was damaged too.

Pet/animal damage? Will for the moment discount paranormal activity .... otherwise ....... I know who I'm going to call.

It just appears that the leaf broke off in a relatively non-problematic region. So a new leaf is expected to grow. No guarantee though.

Should use a surveillance video camera for future orchid staking activities for figuring out what caused the leaf to fall off.