Possible sign of salt burn on Phal?

[Nicolasdperez]

I recently tried using terracotta’s for the first time; however I am noticing some salt build up. In the first picture you can see how the tip of the leaf seems to be shriveling. The second picture shows the same leaf further up without any shriveling (you can also see a ring of salt). The orchid is in bloom and is pushing out a new little leaf but I’m not sure if this is indicative of salt burn on a Phal (I have only experienced it with a paph but it did start at the tip too).
If it is salt burn, should I flush it with distilled water? I am more worried that the salt is building up in the terra-cotta walls and I’m not sure if that will help. I don’t mind break the pot if necessary. Thank you for your time

[rbarata]

It seems, by the look of the leaves, that the problem is lack of water (or excess of it) and not salt build up. By other hand it might be an older leaf giving its soul to the Creator.
Can you give us more photos, especially of the medium and the rest of the plant? And what's your temps and humidity as well as watering frequency?

[Nicolasdperez]

Originally Posted by rbarata

It seems, by the look of the leaves, that the problem is lack of water (or excess of it) and not salt build up. Can you give us more photos, especially of the medium and the rest of the plant? And what's your temps and humidity as well as watering frequency?

I am currently using the Phalaenopsis AAA gold imperial mix from repotme. I let the moss get slightly dry before I water again and never let it stay really dry or wet for extended periods. My temps are around 71-75 degrees Fahrenheit and I have it next to a humidifier. I have also been testing the limits of this orchids sun exposure by giving it bright indirect light.

[rbarata]

I let the moss get slightly dry before I water again and never let it stay really dry or wet for extended periods.

That means how many days between waterings?

I have also been testing the limits of this orchids sun exposure by giving it bright indirect light.

Phals are low light plants which might explain the light green on the leaves (or the initial stages of sunburn).

I don't really like the idea of using a mix containing moss near a humidifier. But that's just me. Remember moss might be dry at the top but still moist at the center of the pot. Have you checked the roots condition inside the pot?

[Nicolasdperez]

I water every 7-10 days. This phal. memoria val rettig has had light silvery leaves as long as I have had it (I think it’s just their natural pigment).Once the top is dry, I carefully stick a little moisture meter into the core of the pot before I water. It is always pretty close to dry when I water, however I make sure it does not stay dry for anything longer than a day or two.

[rbarata]

7 to 10 days using a pot that small and made of terracota...probably you're underwatering it. The silvery you've mentioned makes thing right away about mites (and in fact those leaves look as if they are under a mite attack. Gently, rub a piece of cotton embedded in a mix of water and a drop or two of alcohol (5% in volume) against the lower surface of the leaf and see if there's some red/brown color.

[Nicolasdperez]

If you look up Phal memoria Val. Rettig online you will see that many others can get the same silvery/light green pigment. But nonetheless I swabbed the leaves with 70% isopropyl alcohol on q tip. You can see the results in the picture.

[estación seca]

I wouuldn't push the light. The first photos could be heat damage if it got any direct sun.

[Nicolasdperez]

Yes that definitely makes the most sense. I have been busy lately and didn’t rotate it for 2-3 days which explains why it’s only in one spot. Thank you once again for your help.

[Ray]

The texture of the leaves may suggest your water is quite hard. Maybe what you’re seeing isn’t fertilizer salts, but excess dissolved minerals in the water.