newbie Phalaenopsis question

[applepad]

I bought a Phalaenopsis from lowes a few weeks ago.

the leaves are starting to split down the center, beginning at the tip
and going toward the stem.

anyone know what would cause this??

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

It's hard to pinpoint the problem.

It can be from lack of adequate humidity or from physical damage.

If you bought your plant from Lowe's I'd be more concerned about more pressing matters such as the roots.

Is there root rot, because if there is, you're in for a ride!

[johnblagg]

Could be physical damage from handeling ...

as King stated you really should check the roots for problems and worry more about that than the splitting leaf issue to start with a split looks bad but can heal at the point its is splitting and still survive just fine if roots can support it still....

Bad roots will mean intensive care for a while starting with unpotting it and a clean up then new medium.

does it by any chance have smaller new leaves in the center growing at the present or just the big mature leaves?

[jkofferdahl]

My guess is that it's most likely what King said, either a lack of proper humidity of a lack of adequate watering. How is the media in which the orchid is planted? If it's not in good condition then you should repot as soon as possible.

[Izzie]

I'd say the posts so far sound good.


Or you might have a cat that was playing too close to your 'chids and decided to rake a claw down the leaves. like mine did yesterday. -grumble-

Good luck in any case!

[applepad]

can I repot it, if it's still flowering??

[Zoi2]

Yes you can repot while it's still flowering, just be very careful of the flower spike.
Joann