Phalaenopsis Orchid-leaves falling off-help please

[mrystntn]

Hello. I am a first time orchid owner and have been trying to follow the directions that were given on how to care for my orchid. I have a Phalaenopsis orchid. The other day one of the leaves fell off. Is this normal? I also noticed that the leaf that fell off was a bit yellow as compared to the 2 other green leaves. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[tarev]

If the leaf that fell off is the one below, it is the older leaf. Phals do that, oldest leaf dies out, just a normal occurrence. Just natural senescence. Now if the leaf that fell off or getting yellow is the upper middle leaf, that will be the one a bit more concerning for me. Those are the newer leaves. It would prompt me to check on the root zone, to see what is the condition of the roots. Also if the yellowing occurs on more leaves at the same time, all the more, check the roots. Something is really wrong.

[WhiteRabbit]

I agree with tarev

[ALToronto]

What directions were given? Most of the time they're terrible. Did you put ice cubes on the roots?

Look for the sticky post 'Phal abuse stops here' in the beginner section.

[mrystntn]

Tarev and WhiteRabbit-Thank you. That makes me feel much better.

AlToronto- No I did not use ice cubes. Basically. I have giving it water once a month. After all the flowers bloomed and fell off, I gave it some orchid fertilizer and have kept it in a room that has plenty of light and comfortable temperature. Is this wrong?

I attached pictures for everyone to talk a look at because it is difficult to explain sometimes.

Thank you for all the input.

[RosieC]

Once a month doesn't seem much, how much water each time? They don't like to be wet, but equally don't like to be too dry.

The fallen leaf appears to have some sort of cell collapse where it was joined to the plant. Not sure I'm afraid what might have caused that.

Also what light are you keeping it in. It might just be the pictures but my first thought is it looks very dark, and might need more light.

[mrystntn]

I moved it onto the table for the picture. I usually keep it in a room with a large window so it gets direct sunlight. When I water it, I give it enough to just dampen the soil. Would it be normal for the large leaves at base of plant to fall off?

[tarev]

That depression at the lower tip of the leaf somehow tells me at one point it may have been overwatered, not by you since you say you have watered it once a month since in your care.

I would still check the roots. Normally the leaf goes yellow all over, then it just dries out and easily drops off or can be removed easily.

This would be a good time to do it, plant done blooming, may be time to refresh the media, or trim out some older dead roots if it has some.

[topiarybud]

I think that your phal feels muggy. To improve the air circulation, take it out from the outer decorative pot and place it on a mesh rack or hang it up at the brightest place without direct sunlight. Phal likes indirect sunlight; direct sunlight will make sun burn damages. As the phal’s got problems in current conditions and the season is right, I’d suggest cutting the spike off and repotting it. You can place the spike into a vase with clean water, the flowers will still last for days. And stop using fertilizer, improper fertilizing can also damage a phal. it’s not too late to give fertilizer after you’ve leaned how to take care of a phal.