Single leaf yellowing?

[Roberta]

Pot can look dry and still be pretty wet. Tracking the weight will give you a more accurate idea of what is going on. You don't want it to stay wet... there needs to be a wet-drier cycle going on. Since the house is on the cool side, you could also consider a heat mat - it will both keep the plant a little warmer, and also dry out the bottom of the pat faster.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Pot can look dry and still be pretty wet. Tracking the weight will give you a more accurate idea of what is going on. You don't want it to stay wet... there needs to be a wet-drier cycle going on. Since the house is on the cool side, you could also consider a heat mat - it will both keep the plant a little warmer, and also dry out the bottom of the pat faster.

Ok, thanks. I will keep track of the weight and look into heating mats!

[aliceinwl]

At cooler temperatures infections can be an issue. If the top dressing of moss is staying moist it could be causing problems. My Phals are in bark at similar temperatures. They dry unevenly (top gets dry before the bottom). I just wait until the bottom is dry as well before I rewater.
Uneven drying doesn’t seem to cause a problem. I think that having things quickly dry on top around the stem is beneficial especially if temperatures are on the cool side.

It could just be natural aging of the leaf. But, I’d carefully inspect the stem for any indications of trouble and get rid of the moss.

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by aliceinwl

At cooler temperatures infections can be an issue. If the top dressing of moss is staying moist it could be causing problems. My Phals are in bark at similar temperatures. They dry unevenly (top gets dry before the bottom). I just wait until the bottom is dry as well before I rewater.
Uneven drying doesn’t seem to cause a problem. I think that having things quickly dry on top around the stem is beneficial especially if temperatures are on the cool side.

It could just be natural aging of the leaf. But, I’d carefully inspect the stem for any indications of trouble and get rid of the moss.

I never thought about the trade-off between uneven drying and temperature. Hmm, you make a good point!

Ok, you guys have convinced me to remove the moss.

[Orchidtinkerer]

I like confusing people so I will say leave the moss

No but seriusly a top layer of moss is generally beneficial unless one sees it is staying damp too long but I cannot see that, the roots and even the plant! look on the drier side.

So ask yourselves this, if the plant did not have one little yellow leaf - to me it looks completely healthy - would you be suggesting to change anything?

To me it looks like a root or a flower spike is pushing through the leaves and this can cause part of a leaf to die - it is a sign of good health when a plant is producing lots of new stuff even if it has to break through a leaf to do so.

I would not remove the moss as to me the plant looks perfectly healthy

[spinrah]

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

I like confusing people so I will say leave the moss

No but seriusly a top layer of moss is generally beneficial unless one sees it is staying damp too long but I cannot see that, the roots and even the plant! look on the drier side.

So ask yourselves this, if the plant did not have one little yellow leaf - to me it looks completely healthy - would you be suggesting to change anything?

To me it looks like a root or a flower spike is pushing through the leaves and this can cause part of a leaf to die - it is a sign of good health when a plant is producing lots of new stuff even if it has to break through a leaf to do so.

I would not remove the moss as to me the plant looks perfectly healthy

Haha, ok fine, I’m back to not removing it.
I do agree with you though. I don’t think the moss stays damp for too long. It’s pretty much completely dry after 3 days.
Yes, maybe the yellowing leaf is not a huge concern. I like that conclusion!