Burnt phalaenopsis?? Yellow leaves and droopy

[paigee229]

Hi,
I'm new on this, but joined because I received a phalaenopsis just 3 days ago, and I think I've hurt it already! I left it on my desk near a skylight while I was gone for a (really sunny) day, and when I came back it looked terribly sick. I know now that I should have moved it, but is there a way to nurse it back to health? The lowest leaves are completely yellow and wrinkly, and the upper leaves have significant yellow spots on them. Two buds have fallen off, and the blooms are droopy and have a couple browns spots. The roots look almost the same except that some have a pinkish tinge on the ends. I have attached one before and several after pictures...thank you so much to anyone that knows more about orchids than me!

[Ray]

It's hard to say exactly what the issues are, but if you keep it warm and humid, and with no direct sun, just bright, indirect light, it should recover fine.

[helpmepls]

Originally Posted by paigee229

Hi,
I'm new on this, but joined because I received a phalaenopsis just 3 days ago, and I think I've hurt it already! I left it on my desk near a skylight while I was gone for a (really sunny) day, and when I came back it looked terribly sick. I know now that I should have moved it, but is there a way to nurse it back to health? The lowest leaves are completely yellow and wrinkly, and the upper leaves have significant yellow spots on them. Two buds have fallen off, and the blooms are droopy and have a couple browns spots. The roots look almost the same except that some have a pinkish tinge on the ends. I have attached one before and several after pictures...thank you so much to anyone that knows more about orchids than me!

Oh my god! It's terrible cos for phals leaves and roots are the most important. So you leave it under direct sunlight for so long. So, you said the leaves were starting to turn in to yellow and have spots on them. I think u should use some fungicide. Cos according to your sayings its the sign of fungi. And may i ask you if there's any rotting on the leaves? Then don't hesitate to cut that part immediately cos it will spread quickly and the result for the plant is only DEAD! For using fungicide, to my opinion, take the whole plant and dip it into the solution. Its a little hard and long to recover fully but don't worry most my phals meet the same conditioncos i'm my carelessness usually makes my plants suffer to dead. However, most of them recover so wait and see the result.

Hope your phal recover fully. If my advice don't work, it's all i can do. Thx

[RosieC]

I wouldn't say the pictures look as though there is any fungas. It does look like sun damage and dehydration to me.

The bits of the roots that I can see in your last pic look like they are good roots. If that is the case then I agree with Ray, that getting in to the right enviroment (indirect light, & humid) is the best thing you can do.

Make sure it is kept watered but at the same time don't over water it. You say you are new to Phals, so a bit of watering advice may help. You have a clear pot which I find to be the easiest to control watering with. Look at the roots through the sides of the pot, if they are silver/grey then it's time to water. If they are green/yellow then don't water yet. From your pic the roots still look green, so no need ot water just yet.

[nenella]

I agree with what Ray & Rosie have said (I do not think it's viral but just a case of too much sun)
Your plants roots look fine and do not need watering at the moment. A good method to use to determine if to water or not is the ' skewer method'.
You can poke a wooden skewer down into the medium. To check if the plant needs water, pull it out and touch it to your cheek; if it feels cool and damp you can wait a day or two to water. If it is dryish water. It is better to water by giving it a good soak for 10-15 mins; rather than watering as you would a normal plant.
As far as your leaves are concerned the bottom yellow ones will drop off by themselves. If you are careful with your watering & do not rot the roots it will continue growing perfectly & re-flower for you!
Good Luck !

[paigee229]

Thank you so much for the advice. I'm glad it's probably not in mortal danger, it makes me feel much better to know I didn't kill it in two days.

Again, thank you!