Help!! My Phal is dying!!!

[The Rookie]

The first Phal I ever purchased is not doing very well. It has 4 leaves total, one bottom leaf is completely yellow, and the other is is turning yellow and now has a soggy spot (fungus?). What do I do? It is my understanding that I need to treat it with physan 20 should I repot? I am wondering this because the orchid mix I am using seems very "heavy" and may be retaining to much moisture causing this issue. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, or any questions. I am desperate!! I purchased this phal in memory of my mom this past mothers day so I am a little attached. Silly but true. Thanks!
~Rookie

[tucker85]

Problems with the leaves often indicate a problem with the roots. Phals do best when they have air getting to the roots. My opinion is that you should repot the orchid in a chunky orchid mix that will allow air to get to the roots. Cut off any old dead black roots before repotting. Let it get almost completely dry between waterings but not remain dry for too long. When you do water, take it to a sink or outside and water the medium thouroughly. Give it bright shade (the bightest light you can get without direct sunlight). Air circulation around the plant is also important. So don't crowd it around other plants and try to find a spot where the air moves a little. I know that's not always possible. Good luck.

[The Rookie]

Should I still go ahead with the physan 20? And what do you think I should do about the two yellowing leaves? Leave em, remove em? Lastly, I know you receommend a "chunky" media, however I am not aware of where to obtain this in my area so I will have to order it online. Should I re-pot into some loose Sphagnum moss in the meantime? Or could I go as far as just mounting this particular plant (so far I am having better luck with my two mounted chids) Thanks again!!

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The sticky "The Phal abuse ends here." has some info that may be of interest to you. I recommend reading it from the very beginning.

In the meantime, I thought I'd show you a link to someone's blog, I think it might be somewhat meaningful to you as well:

Sarawak Lens: Phalaenopsis Habitat

[Leafmite]

Until your new medium arrives, your phal can just sit, without media, in the pot. Soak the roots each morning until they are green, then place back in the pot. It is better for the phal not to be potted than to be potted in something that is suffocating and rotting the roots. Phals normally grow clinging on trees in very humid environments so the purpose of using media with phals is to keep humidity around their roots in our less humid environments.
As a medium, I use lava rock for all my orchids. I've never treated my plants for fungus or bacteria so I can't say whether you need to spray or not.
Good luck,
Leafmite

[piaffe97]

If you're still looking for media, Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra is a great place to shop online. Not sure where you're from, but shipping is usually very quick. Good luck with your Phal, I have no luck with those babies!