Phal. puzzler (at least for me!)

[caseydoll]

About a month ago I purchased a phal hybrid off ebay. Its from a reputable seller that others on here have bought from and were happy with. It was very healthy when I got it and had 2 spikes and 3 healthy green leaves. No sign of rot or pests. It was in sphagnum moss but the moss didn't look old or compacted. I noticed that after about 2 weeks that the lower leaves were turning slightly yellow. I repotted it and it had very healthy roots. The next week both bottom leaves turned completely yellow and fell right off. That left 1 leaf. (of course I cut the spikes off). Today when I came home from work it had NO leaf and the completely green leaf was laying on the ground. Like I said, there is no rot at all going on and I haven't had it long enough to kill it!

And this exact thing happened to me with another very healthy phal I bought from the same vendor at the beginning of summer. Same exact scenerio.

Any ideas on why this would happen? I have had phals for about 10 years now and have never had this happen before. And back in the day I totally abused the poor things due to lack of knowledge. I would LOVE to hear others opinions because I am stumped! Also, will it grow back or should I toss it? The first one that did that is still leafless with nothing new going on.

[camille1585]

hmm.. I'm no expert in orchids, but I love plant pathology (that's what I'm studying) I think I came across something similar on internet a few months back when I was looking up my phal's yellowing leaf (turned out to be just an old leaf ready to go)
If I remember correctly, apparently it may be linked to watering in the evening. The water on the leaves that doesn't dry before nighttime can cause fungus to develop. If you still have the fallen leaves, look carefully at the base of the leaf to see if something that looks like a fine gray/black dust.
Again, I'm no expert, so let's so what the pros say! Any ??

[Becca]

Sarah...don't throw it out! It will regrow leaves....or it should, as long as it has healthy roots. When I burnt one of my phal's leaves and they all fell off, I thought it was a gonner and my sister, whom started my addiction, told me to keep it and that I would be surprised....she told me "as long as it has healthy roots, it should come back." And it did! But it has been a slow road....well a few months....I posted pictures in my gallery and the album is call burned phal leaves update or something like that.....anyways....back to your problem....perhaps these phals are just more picky and are pouting due to their new living conditions....and like Camille mentioned....are you watering in the evenings?

[caseydoll]

Thank you Camille! Thats exactly what I thought when it happened with the first one. I was misting daily when it first occurred but only in morning. But I thought maybe I did it too much and water sat in the crown too long. But with this one I definately didn't water in the evening or even get any water on the leaves. But I did take a few pics. I'm not sure it'll help much since it's a stump but you can at least see the green leaf that dropped today.

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[caseydoll]

Thanks Becca! I won't throw it away. I'm not so sure that the first one will come back since I haven't really been watering it. I'll try with that one too though. I hate giving up! I also spent kind of a lot on them. Darn it!

[Oscarman]

It looks like time for Sphag 'n' Bag treatment.

[Becca]

Will Sphag-n-bag work if the roots are good but no leaves? I didn't think of trying that method for it....I just put it under the grow lights on my plant stand....low humidity and all and just watered it like normal and it has come back! I know I am not in the clear yet and only time will tell....but it is looking good so far!

[Lagoon]

Sarah,

I've had a couple that did this to me. I believe it was from the cold as they we're shipped. Funny I questioned the weather too and they told me ... they would be just fine, no worries. Well that wasn't true.

It took about 4 -5 weeks for 2 of them to kick off - So of course it wasn't their problem and told me to look into my culture. This was NOT it and I knew it
I don't know if this is the case with yours but I wanted you to know anyways.

I agree let it do its thing it may in fact just come back for you - 1 of mine did "Phal amablis" - It's now pushing out it 3rd leaf.

Give it time & Keep the faith