Help with phal spot!!

[Yanquister]

Hey everyone!

I received this phal a while back as a present, so I'm not sure of what conditions it was in prior to coming into my possession. It's been doing well since I received it, and I don't have this problem on any of my other plants, but can someone tell me what this spot appears to be? (It's not very evident in the picture, but around the spot there is some yellow discoloring if that helps.) If its fungal, I want to remove the leaf as quickly as possible, but I also didn't want to jump the gun if it were something minor.

I apologize if this has been covered in a prior posting. I'm using a smartphone and its making it a little complicated to search past posts! Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!

Joseph

[shaelyn]

some other people here would know better than I do, but it probably wouldn't hurt to take a little rubbing alcohol to that spot as an immediate precaution. I'd get the underside, too.

[Yanquister]

Thanks Shae! I will definitely give that a try!

[NYCorchidman]

My first thought after looking at the photo was a mechanical damage. Did this happen all of sudden recently or has this spot been there from the beginning?

The reason for my guess is that it appears to have a smaller sunken area in the middle which is then surrounded by the larger dark area as if it was all smashed up and bruised.

Then you mentioned that there is a yellow ring around the spot which I do not see in the picture at all. but if that's the case, it's probably bacterial rot.
Whatever it is, keep a very close eye on it and make sure it is not spreading. If it does, then I would cut the leaf off.

Rubbing alcohol on the leaf surface doesn't stop any rot from spreading since the microorganism is already inside the leaf causing the damage.

[Yanquister]

Hey NYCorchid,

I'm enclosing another picture that shows it a little closer...a little more of the discoloration is visible in this photo. I don't know that yellow is the CORRECT way to explain it, but there is definitely something going on. It's entirely possible that it was bruised and it is just now showing up so visibly...if you can give further thoughts after seeing the second pic I would really appreciate it. Thanks again!

[NYCorchidman]

This is the same picture but darker. I still don't see any yellow halo you mentioned.

Also, you didn't provide answers to my questions regarding when this spot showed up or how old it is.

I have bruised phals leaves quite a few times, but none of mine is this black!

strange...hmmm

I would cut it out just to make me feel better about it.

[Yanquister]

My apologies, I was trying to get closer to the leaf itself to show more detail.

The spot, this noticeable, showed up just yesterday with a noticeable darkening by late tonight (I noticed it darkened when I originally posted this). A few days ago I noticed that that particular area if the leaf seemed a little more "floppy" than usual, and over the course if a few days it all led up to this.

I just didn't want to remove the leaf if it was just me overreacting, but I would rather lose a leaf than lose one of my 'chids. However, if you think removing it would be best, ill go ahead and do so. That was my initial reaction as it seems to have darkened so quickly...was afraid if it turned out to be fungus that waiting might be too late. Just wanted the insight of other on this forum!

Thanks so much for your input, ill go cut it off now I suppose!

[NYCorchidman]

I've seen a lot of different stuff on phal leaves, but haven't seen this completely black round spot that happens overnight.

Yeah, it sounds scary how fast it showed up.
I would cut the leaf off and stop worrying.
Cutting off one leaf doesn't do much damage at all. It will grow more this season anyways.

[Yanquister]

Thanks again for your help! It is much appreciated!!

[NYCorchidman]

NP!