when to cut broken/yellowing leaf - Orchid Board

SamandAnne · #1 04-07-2009, 05:50 PM

Hello,

I have a phal that has one lower leaf that is 1/3 broken or ripped at the base (I'm guessing when I repotted I wasn't careful enough). The section of the leaf below the break is yellowing & wrinkling. Do you think I should cut the leaf off completely, partially, or just let it be?

To give some background on the orchid, I bought it in bloom from the grocery store, and it was planted in moss. After blooming & cutting the spike, we noticed the leaves were really floppy. On some advice, we repotted it in bark, and all but about 2-3 roots were rotten and cut off. The leaves are getting stiffer now and it looks healthier in the bark now.

Thanks for any advice!

Pilot · #2 04-07-2009, 05:59 PM

SamandAnne--

I had the same question about a week ago. The answers I got were to give it a slight ug, if it stays on, leave it alone and try again a week or so later.

I figured this would be the response-- basically you don't want to risk opening a wound on the plant-- let the plant seal it off first and allow it to come free of the plant on its own. It won't hurt it to leave it on, even though it may not look the best.

Becky15349 · #3 04-07-2009, 06:09 PM

The above advice is fine, but truthfully, a cut like that would probably drive me nuts, and I would trim the leaf back. When I trim the leaves, I cut them so that the end of the leaf actually looks like a leaf - cut it rounded. Put some cinnamon on the edges and let it be, it should heal up on its own. OR you can leave it...either way, it won't be the end of the world. It sounds like the plant is "passing" that leaf anyways, since you said it was yellowing and it was a lower leaf, and this is totally normal. It is typical for phals' lower leaves to turn yellow and die back as it puts out new leaves from the crown.

SamandAnne · #4 04-08-2009, 10:07 AM

Great, thank you both for your advice! I think I'll try to leave it and see if it comes off naturally.

I wouldn't mind cutting it for it to look neater, but since I've handled it so much lately I might give it a rest. Just wanted to make sure doing so wouldn't negatively impact the plant. Sounds like it will be ok.

Thanks for your quick replies!

learning2letgo · #5 04-08-2009, 09:22 PM

As I read was reading down the page, I was going to offer the same advice as Becky. Trimming the leaf and using cinnamon powder as a natural herbicide. Best of luck in your venture in saving and salvaging your broken beauty

Carolann1022 · #6 04-12-2009, 04:45 PM

My phal has two original leaves about 10 to 11 inches long and one new leaf. One of the older leaves split from the end about 1/3 of the way - otherwise looks healthy. So should I just leave it alone? It's in spike right now too.

Thanks, Carol

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 04-12-2009, 05:33 PM

A split leaf is nothing to worry about. It can still funcion.

learning2letgo · #8 04-12-2009, 09:41 PM

I agree with King that you should leave the split leaf alone. I have an older phal that has five leaves on it and one split in the center and it has since turned browned and hardened for lack of better words, like a scab on a wound. LOL... She healed herself back up just fine and is still doing quite well

RosieC · #9 04-13-2009, 03:40 PM

I agree with the other two answers. Split leaves can look a bit ugly but they will still function.

If the leaf stays on the plant with a slight tug then the 'chid still wants the leaf. If a dead looking or damaged leaf pulls away with a slight tug then it had finished with that leaf.

SamandAnne · #10 04-13-2009, 08:24 PM

Thanks everyone. I waited it out, and the orchid did "lose" the leaf on its on. I put a little cinnamon powder on the edge anyway by the stem where it pulled off, but it looks like it browned over and healed itself.

Thanks for the help!