New Leaf Dead... - Orchid Board

annehylee · #1 11-11-2008, 04:37 PM

This has never happened to me before but the other day, I found one of my phals leaf turned black and yellowy and fell off.

It's a new leaf that was growing underneath the huge leaves. It has total of 6 leaves, now minus the one.

It was fine one day and then next thing I know, it's gone bad. The other leaves seem to be doing fine, the last of the bud has opened (nothing shrivelling or falling off)... I did repot this one about a week ago (in bloom - was told that this was ok) because the roots were just a huge mess when I brought it home; outgrown the pot and hasn't been repotted in years. I checked the roots and they are all green and plump. Nothing sludgy or soft. Where else should I look and is this something for me to be concerned about?

P.S. It's facing the west window with sheer curtain filtering the sun. House is not dry but not humid either.

RosieC · #2 11-11-2008, 04:47 PM

Usually a Phal would not have a new leaf UNDER large older ones. They only grow from the single crown.

If there were leaves growing like this I can only guess that it was a keiki growing from the side of the phal.

Anyway, if this leaf had been at the top I would have guessed you had a case of crown rot. Not good in phals although I've read of people saving them. As you say the leaf was lower down I still wonder if it was crown rot in the crown of a keiki.

Anyway, maybe I've mis-understood your description, but leaves turning black and dropping off sounds like some sort of rot. Others here are far more expert than me, but I think you need to make sure any rotting material is removed and treat the wound with Cinnomon.

If it was some sort of crown rot it may have been caused by getting water in the crown. When you water you need to avoid water in the crown. It's also the reason many people advise watering in the morning, so that any water that gets in the crown has time to dry before night.

Ross · #3 11-11-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Usually a Phal would not have a new leaf UNDER large older ones. They only grow from the single crown.

If there were leaves growing like this I can only guess that it was a keiki growing from the side of the phal.

Anyway, if this leaf had been at the top I would have guessed you had a case of crown rot. Not good in phals although I've read of people saving them. As you say the leaf was lower down I still wonder if it was crown rot in the crown of a keiki.

Anyway, maybe I've mis-understood your description, but leaves turning black and dropping off sounds like some sort of rot. Others here are far more expert than me, but I think you need to make sure any rotting material is removed and treat the wound with Cinnomon.

If it was some sort of crown rot it may have been caused by getting water in the crown. When you water you need to avoid water in the crown. It's also the reason many people advise watering in the morning, so that any water that gets in the crown has time to dry before night.

Yeah, I had the same conclusion. I've never seen a Phal grow new leaves below the established leaves. Well, just once, when the crown rotted and a keiki emerged at the side of the main gowth.

annehylee · #4 11-11-2008, 05:01 PM

Hi Rosie,
Maybe my description was a bit off. I don't have a picture of the leaf that fell off but here's a picture of my phal so that you can see which leaf fell off. Oh, sorry... btw, this was not the one I repotted... I got them all mixed up. The one that lost the leaf WAS NOT the one that was repotted. So there hasn't been any activities with this one. Anyway, it's the little one that I have circled that fell off. In that photo, there was nothing wrong with it... It was like 4 days after that photo that the leaft fell off.

RosieC · #5 11-11-2008, 05:09 PM

Was it a small leaf and was it the lowest of the ones on the plant?

If so it may have been the oldest leaf, often they are smaller than the newer ones becasue they were grown when the plant was younger (and smaller).

Also if it was the oldest leaf then it is probably normal for it to yellow and die and some point. The oldest leaves do that, sometimes when a new leaf is about to grow but not always.

You mentioned black, which made me think of rot, yellowing of the lowest leaves is generally normal. If there was some blackening I would check the plant close to where it was attached to make sure it is still firm and not showing any signs of rot. Provided that looks healthy you can probably put it down to the leaf just being old.

cb977 · #6 11-11-2008, 05:12 PM

I agree with what's already been said. It was probably a keiki that got water in it's crown and it rotted.

If you ever see signs of rot in the crown at the very top of the plant, you have a chance of saving it IF you catch it early enough. Put a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into the crown, let it sit for a few minutes then empty it out and throw in some cinnamon...it has worked for me...but only if you catch it early on.

annehylee · #7 11-11-2008, 05:17 PM

It was definitely more yellow than black. It was just a little spotty where it was wrinkled. So the small leaf could have been the oldest leaf... Learning something new everyday... I'll check the crown today. What should I be looking for? And also, Susanne, is this just the hydrogen peroxide that you buy at the drug store? And you don't need to dilute it? And what do you mean when you say empty it out?

Becky15349 · #8 11-11-2008, 05:20 PM

That looks like one of the oldest leaves, if its wayyy down there like that. It doesn't really look like a keiki, but then again, the pic is kinda from a distance so its hard to tell. If it was an old leaf, those fall off periodically and its nothing to worry about. If it was a keiki, you'd see something that resembles a new growth near it...but keikis don't usually fall off either. I think it was an old leaf and its time just came - nothing to worry about!

cb977 · #9 11-11-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by annehylee

I'll check the crown today. What should I be looking for? And also, Susanne, is this just the hydrogen peroxide that you buy at the drug store? And you don't need to dilute it? And what do you mean when you say empty it out?

You would be looking for a black mushy-looking base inside the crown. If it's not too far gone, it might be able to be saved.

Use the regular old hydrogen peroxide you get at the drugstore, undiluted.. Just 4 or 5 drops, let it sit for a few minutes and then either tip the plant over so it can run out or stick a rolled up corner of a paper towel down in there to absorb it. Sprinkle in a little cinnamon and cross your fingers

It's always best to avoid getting any water in the crowns to start with but we've all gotten some in there no matter how careful we are.

annehylee · #10 11-11-2008, 05:29 PM

Yeah, I specifically bought this small dispenser from a Kitchen supply store that I think it's supposed to be for syrups... But it has a long thin/narrow spout and it's perfect for watering plants that shouldn't get water on the leaves and stuff. So I water all my orchids and my jade plant with it and I'm really good about being carefuly. But I'll go home and check. You are my lifesaver!!!