Water Saturated Leaf? - Orchid Board

hollylee · #1 07-31-2008, 03:11 PM

I have a large beautiful Phal Orchid that is between blooming right now. A few months ago while it was at my office the cleaning crew came in at night and must have watered it or something, I came in the next day and one of the 3 leaves was dark green, wrinkled and limp, I barely touched it and it came right off the plant and water poured out of it onto the desk.

I barely ever water the Phal, the other day I put a wet balled up paper towel on the moss away from the leaves to let the water slowly drip down into the pot. I also put it in a a room with a little bit more light for the day. The next day it had a spot about the size of a dime that was dark green wrinkled and soft, felt liek it had water in it. I looked on google and it seemed like it could have been because of the sun so i moved it into a more shady room and put another damp paper towel on the moss.

Today the spot is about 1/2 the size of a dollar bill! How to I save this leaf!?

hollylee · #2 07-31-2008, 04:09 PM

I think that it is spreading! The potting material is really dry but im afraid to water it because of the wet leaf. What do I do?! HELP!

libby · #3 07-31-2008, 04:44 PM

I don't know what this is... hopefully one of the experts will chime in shortly, but in the meantime, is it possible that something could have been spilled on the leaf?

hollylee · #4 07-31-2008, 04:51 PM

not a chance, it was in a totally empty room that no one goes into. Its truly baffling. Im worried I will lose this leaf like the other one. Can it go on and survive with only one leaf?

Swamper · #5 07-31-2008, 04:54 PM

I was thinking the same as libby, maybe something else? Im no expert either but I'm pretty sure the roots don't wanna dry out. Keep this post popping back up until a more knowledgeable member can answer you. Im sure they will once they see it.

hollylee · #6 07-31-2008, 04:57 PM

Thanks for helping. I cant find any info online about it at all.

priz_m · #7 07-31-2008, 05:07 PM

Holly I would take a sterilized blade and cut the leaf in half, even chop a bit of healthy tissue and seal with cinnamon, that happened to one of my phal's leaves and I never knew what caused it BUT I cant tell you it didn't happen again.

Hope this helps!

:P

caseydoll · #8 07-31-2008, 05:53 PM

I have no idea what that could be either!

But I agree with priz. If it seems like it's spreading I would cut in off too. And if you're having trouble with sphag maybe you could repot into some bark or a coconut husk chip mix. Just a thought!

hollylee · #9 07-31-2008, 05:57 PM

Is potting in bark easier for beginners to maintain?

caseydoll · #10 07-31-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollylee

Is potting in bark easier for beginners to maintain?

Not necessarily. But some people do find that in their growning conditions that sphag either stays too wet or gets dry too fast. You have to replace it more frequently so it doesn't compact and stay too wet in the middle. It's just personal preference. Phals can do great in sphag but you have to keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't stay too wet. That will lead to root rot. Hope that helps!