Phalenopsis with black spots underside of leaves.

[frorchid]

New to orchids. I have two questions.
I received a beautiful phalenopsis orchid in full bloom with 12 flowers 8/14/12. Since then 7 blooms have wilted and dropped. Is this normal?
Most importantly the underside of the lowest leaf is now showing black spots around the edges and one spot on center ridge. The spot in the center is dented in.
What suggestions does the forum have for me.
Thanks so much for the time.

[Carpe Diem]

to the OB! I don't have the answer to your problem, but the experienced members will come to the rescue.

[frorchid]

I do have a picture. Can you direct me to instructions on how to attach photo to a post?

[NYCorchidman]

Pictures will help.
There are more than one way to post pictures but what I do is simply using the picture attachment feature that is found on this website.
Click post reply, say whatever you want to say in the description box then down below, there is an option to include image from your computer.

Anyhow, the wilting flowers can be part of normal procedure if they are old enough. When you buy plants in full bloom, it looks wonderful but you don't know how long the plant has been in full bloom.

Or sometimes when there are sudden changes in the environment, the flowers may prematurely fall off. Too little watering, too much light or heat, too cold (AC draft), gas or certain chemical that might be present in the air, ....

Also, I've noticed that some phals are more prone to flower wilting than others. Most of phals I buy (even in the winter time) do fine with the adjustment, but sometimes they drop flowers like crazy within a week or two. I usually don't deal with those cissies unless they are super rare or particularly pretty.

The spots...sounds like either sun burn or disease spots. I find that phals do not get spots easily. but it can certainly get disease just like any other plants. pictures will help a lot.

[Carpe Diem]

I think you need to have 5 posts before you can attach a picture. I'm not very good at explaining things, but I'll give it a go.
Once you have the required posts, go to the beginner forum, create new thread, Go Advanced, scroll down to Manage Attachments and click on it.
Sorry if this is of no help. Just check back tomorrow, someone will give you better instructions.

[frorchid]

Thank you for the reply. Seems more like disease, it has been out of direct sunlight since arriving.
I will attempt to upload a pic tomorrow. It is on my phone.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by frorchid

Thank you for the reply. Seems more like disease, it has been out of direct sunlight since arriving.
I will attempt to upload a pic tomorrow. It is on my phone.

If it hasn't been exposed to sun, then sun burn is not the case. Are the spots getting bigger or multiplying?
If yes, you should immediately cut affected parts off.

If not, just keep a close eye on them.

[frorchid]

Upon close examination I realize that I can wipe the some of the black spots of with a soft tissue.

[RosieC]

You do need 5 posts to add a picture. However you can load them to you album before then. You can't link in the post though so just say in the post that pics are in your album. See my signature for a post link to help with pics both in the album and other methods.

[RosieC]

PS I've moved your post to beginner discussions where hopefully more people will see it.