Leaves edges turning brown

[Anna]

Hello,

I think I have a big problem. I have two Phals which I bought 6 months ago. They were doing just fine, they grew spikes and buds but all of sudden the buds fell off and now the leaves are starting to have a yellowish brown ring on there edges.

I know I read about this somewhere but I can’t remember. Can someone please tell me what’s wrong and how I can fix it?

[jrhennek]

Your bud drop could have come from a extremes temperature change or a pollutant in the grow area. This can also be known as bud blast.As far as the leaves, from what I see the plant looks fine.

[AHAB]

edges look great

[Dorothy]

Your leaves don't look very bad at all .. but ..
What is your fertilizing and watering schedule?
and how much do you use when you fertilize and how often?
What kind of light are you providing them?
Are they exposed to any cold drafts
I'm just asking basic question to get idea of how you are caring for them .. it helps in assessing any orchid
I agree that you can have a bit of bud blast due to environmental changes as jr described above
Some chemicals can give off vapors that can diminish an orchid's health ..

[Anna]

Hi Dorothy,

Thank you for trying to help me and sorry I couldn’t answer earlier, I had exams.

I water them once a week when their medium looks dry, there is no draft or chemicals near them. They’re close to a window so they get plenty of light but never direct sunlight.

About the fertilizer, well I think this is what’s causing all the problems or at least bud blast. I use a fertilizer that has 5-5-5% of K, N and P. It has a really dark brown color. I followed the instructions on the back (every 3-4 week with a 0,5% degree of concentration) but I noticed that the roots were starting to have dark salt deposit lines so now I only fertilize every 5 weeks with half(or less) the amount of fertilizer. We also have hard water so that might also cause problems.

The lines on the edges of the leaves are becoming wider and are turning to a more yellowish color, they have also become more flat and less firm. The rest of the leaf looks healthy. This isn’t how they usually lose their leaves and these are top leaves too. Is this related to the fertilizer or is it something else? What can cause these symptoms? Is it some kind of fungus, do I need to repot them? Should I water twice a week?

Thanks for the help!

[Chubidubi]

I have a Phal with the leaves like that and she's totally healthy. Shes' a very big girl now.