Leaf split on phals.

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Hi orchid board!

There is a large leaf on my Phal that is split down the middle, I also have another Phal with a new leaf growing that has a split at the tip. I was reading around different threads and one said I could put electrical tape on it. Will this help it heal? Also, what causes the split? Both orchids are doing great, one with buds and another just had a root and leaf growth spurt, so it shouldn't be stress.

Thanks.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Electrical tape will not make it heal. That's a done deal.

It was probably mishandled.

If not mishandling, maybe humidity or a genetic mistake as a result of repeated cloning (nobody is truly certain of the after-effects of cloning).

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Thanks for telling me, the tape would look a little weird. The one with the new leaf may have actually been cloned due to the massive number of plants exactly like it at my local nursury. I wish they would get more of a variety there. Sorry, I'm new to this. Not exactly good with plants either. I didn't expect it to heal knowing nothing else on orchid leaves seem to.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You're thinking of how human skin heals from a cut.

The leaves of plants don't heal that way.

Let's say a leaf gets cut in cross section half-way across. The areas that were cut are the ones that heal. Cells that have been damaged die. The structures that conduct food and water heals and redirects themselves along a different pathway to continue it's job.

This is the simplified version of how a plant's leaves heal.

[PinkCloud]

You might not be able to heal the damage that the plant has but I remember reading about someone using super glue to glue the leaf into place so that it wouldn't rip anymore and so it would be easier to handle.. I think it was here Phal. amboinensis The thought is that even hospitals use super glue in us humans so it should be safe for plants.. (though it has a different name and is somehow sterilized you can read more: Super Glue for Wound Closure )
I haven't tried this on my plants so I don't know much more about it.. but I suppose you could try?

[Connie Star]

I'd be interested in how well super-glue works, at least for the cosmetics- I think it could work very well if the split is parallel to the veins of the leaf. You'd have to find a way to hold it together until it dries.
I'm a doctor- we use a cyanoacrylate (super glue) product called Dermabond in lieu of sutures in some situations. It has to be a cut that has no stress on it. It's great for small lacerations on the face.
Given that it's super glue, it is ludicrously expensive- like $12 for a small vial that I guess holds a cc or 2. I've taken to carrying super glue when I travel and I know other docs who do the same.
And, Welcome! I like your user name!

[JerseyGirlBecky]

Interesting Connie. Is this the same super glue that we can buy or a special kind that can be used on humans? I used superglue that I had at home on a turtle once that had been hit by a car and he healed beautifully.

[PinkCloud]

LOL! You super glued your turtle! That's so cool! I think, (Though I'm no specialist..) that the one used on humans is sterilized but basically the same stuff. Using regular super glue on orchids shouldn't be a problem since it doesn't need to be in the same way sterilized.. (I can't believe I'm saying this: ) After all orchids are just plants.

[PeaceLoveOrchids]

Connie: Thanks! The split is parallel to the veins. I agree it's gonna be hard to try to hold it together. I'll think of somthing.

I'll try the super glue once I get back from my trip. Do you think it would work on this one split parallel to the veins and then split the other way? (this happened when I tryed proping the leaf up with a rock, it didn't seem to like that and began to split that way too.)

[Connie Star]

JerseyGirlBecky: It is the exact same super-glue chemically, just treated to make it sterile. I actually take home the expired ampules to use on other things- they're convenient when you just want a little.
I'm not sure it will actually work on the plants but I doubt it would make it split the other way. You could do it gradually by starting on the side of the split closest to the center and work your way towards the tip if it works. I may try this too the next time I get a split (and I'm sure there will be a next time!)