Split Leaf?

[Peithecelt]

Okay, so I have been avoiding asking this question because it requires admitting that I was sort of having a DUH moment when I bought my new phal (only phal lol)... I looked closely at all the roots of all the plants, I looked at all the flowers (I wanted a pretty one after all.. ) and I sort of generically saw the leaves..

I realized about 1/2 way home that the top leaf on my orchid is rather, uhmm.. split in half 3/4 of the way down (you can see it in the pic below). It was clearly split when I bought it (it was healed over on the edges, not raw at all), so it wasn't a new wound under my care..

It's a great healthy plant otherwise so far, the green is lovely and consistent, I've been misting it daily, it's sitting in my front window which has been sort of misty sun the last few days (I'll move it in away from the direct hot sun as summer builds up so it's not right in the window, but.. It's been sort of gray by us the last few days, so rather than moving it further into the room where it will get less light with this weather, I moved them forward). I changed out the sphagnum moss for some mediumish bark, and the roots looked okay, I trimmed some withered and floppy bits, but nothing looked really ugly... So I don't think it's a huge deal, but..

Should I cut that leaf off, or as long as I don't mind the minor aesthetic flaw (which I don't), not worry about it and let the leaf do it's happy chlorophyll thing?

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[Jenn]

I'd say leave it since it's healed over nicely and let the plant decide to drop.

Beautiful orchid!!

[Ross]

Not to worry. Lots of things can cause this, and you aren't to blame! Don't swet the small things with these guys.

[BikerDoc5968]

And, to add to Ross' comments, I would not cut the leaf off. It still carries on photosynthesis and until it turns yellow or gets infected with whatever, just leave it alone.

[Peithecelt]

Originally Posted by Jenn

I'd say leave it since it's healed over nicely and let the plant decide to drop.

Beautiful orchid!!

Thanks, that's sort of what I was thinking, but figured I'd double check..

And thanks, I think it's awful purty!

(though I might be a bit biased. )

[Peithecelt]

Thank you guys so much.... I figured I wasn't to blame (since it came that way (though I felt like a doof for not noticing it until I was halfway home with it lol)), but wasn't sure how to handle it..

And everything is stress with these guys, they're sort of daunting.. (they're orchids, and true or not, the feeling of them is that they're the most complicated horticultural project short of bonsai out there!)... But thank you guys.. For the advice (and patience.. )

[caseydoll]

And don't feel bad! So many of my phals have at least one split leaf that I don't even notice them anymore. None of them have split under my care but I don't worry about it when purchasing one. Poor little guys!

[nenella]

DITTO !! everything Sarah says apart
" None of them have split under my care" ...
I 'move around alot, and between kittens /cats (adolescents,now) - I've had my fair share of broken leaves. all I do is cut off the' damage' completely if broken & hanging off a few 'threads' & apply cinnamon or else leave alone if only 'split' (& dry/sealed) ..they're fine & I don't mind having less than perfect 'examples' of a couple of plants..

[Peithecelt]

Thank you Nenella and Caseydoll!!! That's great help!

So I've heard a couple of people mention cinnamon.. Do you really just mean the tasty spice used in pumpkin pie, and other spectacular such yummies? And does it have to be real cinnamon, or is cassia bark cinnamon acceptable?(I love my orchids, but must admit a certain loathing about using the good cinnamon for a plant, when I could eat it.. )

(there is a reason that I got into orchids because of vanilla )

[caseydoll]

I'm not sure if cassia bark cinnamon would do the same thing as true cinnamon. I looked it up and it did say that most of the cinnamon sold in the US is actually cassia bark. So I would guess that it would work the same but I really don't know. Or is everyone actually using cassia bark and thinking it's true cinnamon? I use ground cinnamon by McCormick (?). It's not very expensive. That's all I know! Hopefully someone more knowledgable will respond.