November Phal. woe

[charlesf6]

Came home from work and check plants for hydration pests etc. and my big Phal. Edgar has decided that there is a new problem in my short orchid endeavor.

leaves are turning yellow & look like they are right about to drop. I have monitored watering/fert. properly, indirect lighting, and have kept temps within reason.

[bil]

Phals do shed leaves.. What's it potted in?

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by bil

Phals do shed leaves.. What's it potted in?

medium bark.

[Tindomul]

I don't think it's supposed to shed leaves. They do this in response to rotting roots in poor media. Perhaps it got watered too much. I suggest you repot immediately unless you recently (within the last half year) repoted the orchid already. Then we have to explore other reasons.

[charlesf6]

This orchid was purchased on Oct. 3rd and appeared to have been watered very well as the roots in the clear plastic pot were very green and the pot itself was quite weighty.
I didn't water/fert. (weak/weekly) until the 23rd when the plants roots appeared to be white and dryish, the pot much lighter and a shish-ka-bob skewer came out cleanly & dry.

---------- Post added at 10:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------

The only other issue I had with Edgar was when I went ahead with a leaf shine project I had viewed on you tube.

When rubbing leaves with the solution and paper towels I accidently bent/sliced the tip of a small bottom leaf. I placed it back and sprinkled some cinnamon on it and hoped for the best after posting here about it.

The small leaf eventually turned completely yellow but I didn't fret much more about it as it was hidden under a slightly larger one above it.

[Tindomul]

I think you should check the roots and media. I've got a feeling that media is not ok. Other thing you can check for are spider mites. See if you can see any bugs with a magnifying glass.

[jkofferdahl]

[charlesf6]

Almost like the two bottom leaves have been sliced off like a garden plant pest:

[gngrhill]

I agree also that a repot is in order. The close up you posted shows the potting mix to look almost like soil instead of bark. It also shows some green roots, but also some dead roots. I would repot it into a bark mix so it has better drainage. what it's in looks like it could retain a lot of moisture and not allow much air circulation. Those dying leaves also look to be under some that have been removed. they may be very much older and ready to come off anyway. In your first close up it appears that a couple of leaves have been removed above the yellowed ones. Good luck.

[Tindomul]

I see some dead roots that you can cut off and you are lucky in that you still have some nice green roots that you can keep. Good luck.