orchid fell!

[amanda129]

quick question, orchid fell off table, and a leaf broke...should i remove broken leaf or wait for it die?

[Discus]

depends on the leaf and the type of orchid and the nature of the break. In general, you're going to want to sterilise the part of the leaf still attached to the plant. In terms of things you might have lying around the house, try dusting the cut liberally with cinnamon.

[amanda129]

its a phal, i cant seem to figure out how to post a pic

[Discus]

The system won't let you post one until you've made 5 posts, which might be why it's tricky for you!

With a phal, I'd say it's unlikely it will heal (unless it's a very small break, but if it's most way across the leaf, that's that). Use a sharp knife or even sharp scissors to cut away the flappy part of the leaf away from the body of the plant and then Dust the open cut liberally with cinnamon powder.

[Stray59]

Amanda -
You have to make 5 separate posts before you can post pics - it's a spam thing.
If the leaf is broken, there is little you can do - if it is cracked and still attached, I have put a "splint" on some in the past - taping a matchstick or popsicle stick to the bottom of the leaf to close the crack, dusting it with cinnamon or powdered fungicide.
It really depends on which leaf it is - if it is a bottom one, I think I would just remove it as a cracked leaf allows for all kinds of germs to get in; but again, if it is a top leaf or not too badly damaged, I have managed to save a few using the splint method.
In order for the splint to work, the leaf still has to have a lot veins intact for it to heal this way, as the veins supply it with moisture and nutrients and allow the leaf to return the food made by the chlorophyll.
You can post a couple more responses to other's posts, even just a "wow - nice plant" or something and then you should be able to post pics.
Steve

[amanda129]

yah im kinda thinking it may just need to be removed, its broken right on the spline...darn cat..lol

[Discus]

if it's split along the long axis (rather than crosswise across the whole leaf) - i.e. along the V that kind of runs along them, you can often rescue them with a rubber band (not to tight) or hair scrunchie etc.

[amanda129]

it split crosswise and stopped at spline, ive removed where it broke crosswise and will try the rubberband where the spline broke a bit, thank you all for your help! just love my orchid! soo excited it sprouted a new stem!