Brown Spike on 1st orchid and dark spots on newest orchid.

[TheJadeOrchid]

So my very 1ST Phal NOID orchid has a brown spike now. I repotted it about a 1 month ago. After 1 week, I clipped the spike and dabbed some cinnamon on the opened end. Also the leaves are spreading away from each other. Is that normal? You can see them below.



Well, my Orchid I was trying to bring back died. It is sad, but I am still going strong. I recently got a very small orchid from Lowe's. It was on the sale rack with some others. All being very healthy for some odd reason, besides some minor problems, such as no flowers, a dark spot or two, a yellow spot on the leaf, etc. This was the only one that had some dark spots. And yes, I know it needs to be re-potted, but I want some input before I do. The leaves look great and it has 5 leaves and 2 spikes.

A full picture of it.


Size comparsion. Also you can see my 1st orchid, where the leaves are spreading away from each other.


A flower. It is smaller than 2 fingers.


Back on the Orchid, showing all the leaves.


Dark Spot on A leaf. Only leaf that has a dark spot.


Dark Spot on the "base"

[BruceP]

Cut spike looks normal. BTW, there's no need to put cinnamon on it when you cut it.
Black stuff looks like a little dirt or mildew. It should wipe of with a damp cloth (although it may be an early warning sign that you're keeping it too wet).
Can't tell much about the leaf from the photo, but it looks ok.
Your older phal is overpotted and in too-fine bark. If there's not a good amount of styro peanuts or such in the bottom of that pot, you're headed for trouble.

[bballr4567]

That smaller one needs a repot ASAP. My local home store has those and if they are there for more than two weeks, they are insanely root rotted. I recently got one and had to trim about 1/4 of the roots and they had just got them the day before!


All in all, they look good.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Originally Posted by BruceP

Cut spike looks normal. BTW, there's no need to put cinnamon on it when you cut it.
Black stuff looks like a little dirt or mildew. It should wipe of with a damp cloth (although it may be an early warning sign that you're keeping it too wet).
Can't tell much about the leaf from the photo, but it looks ok.
Your older phal is overpotted and in too-fine bark. If there's not a good amount of styro peanuts or such in the bottom of that pot, you're headed for trouble.

I was told that it is recommended to put cinnamon on the cut spike. I did so anyway. What could it hurt?

For some reason, I had some healthy roots on my 1st phal and the pot fit. I have stryrofoam peanuts in the bottom. The pot was a hair to tall, but it fits. I check it regularly and this bark works well. I take a Chopstick and stick it in the soil careful to not hit any roots. It almost acts like a car dipstick.

On the smaller phal, I have tried wiping it off. But it won't come off.

Originally Posted by bballr4567

That smaller one needs a repot ASAP. My local home store has those and if they are there for more than two weeks, they are insanely root rotted. I recently got one and had to trim about 1/4 of the roots and they had just got them the day before!


All in all, they look good.

Okay thank you! I defiantly will repot it. I had the bark soaking and it is ready. I have only had it a couple of days maybe a week.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Bumping for some more help!

Plus, I repotted the little guy today.

[quiltergal]

I would have to agree that the first one you repotted is in far too big of a pot. I would downsize at least 1-1.5 pot sizes. I also agree that the bark looks too fine for a Phal. The combination of fine bark+big pot=root rot.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I would have to agree that the first one you repotted is in far too big of a pot. I would downsize at least 1-1.5 pot sizes. I also agree that the bark looks too fine for a Phal. The combination of fine bark+big pot=root rot.

Thank you for your opinion.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Alright everyone....I REPOTTED my 1st orchid. As for the bark, it is all I have until I can go to the store. And it is a bit moist. I had it in soaking and forgot to stir it up. I am wiping it off now.

[TheJadeOrchid]

Still wanting advice on the other things.

[bballr4567]

Advice on what?

The dark spot on the leaf looks like it has been stressed when growing and there is scar tissue. If it falls off I might be a little worried but if the plant is doing healthy other wise, then there is really no need to worry.