Yellowing/Withering Psychopsis leaf

[Syrinth]

I bought a Psychopsis Mendenhall from the Orchid Show last month and just noticed that today it's smallest leaf is turning yellow/withering.

It is in a south facing window, behind a rather large cymbidium to block out the most direct rays of the sun. The sky has been somewhat rainy and cloudy lately, so light may be a factor.

There are also two East facing windows in the room but it is farther away from them.

Before watering, I check the bottom of the pot to see if it's mostly dry. Most waterings I put a pinch of MSU fertilizer in the water, and I'm currently using tap water. Might start just buying pure water from the grocery store soon though.

The spike has been growing steadily and extremely well
since I brought it home.

Please help me not murder me plant!

Leaf closeup
Plant as a whole

[zxyqu]

It's tough to say for sure, but to me it just looks like an older leaf that has run it's course. Do you know if it is indeed the oldest? That would be my guess, and if that's right, you're not doing anything wrong. Keep us posted, but I dont think there's any need to panic, as the other leaves look really healthy.

[Syrinth]

I have absolutely no idea about which leaf would be the oldest. Although, since the bulb it's attached to is on the outer edge, I suppose that's a reasonable guess.

[zxyqu]

Well have you seen it put out any new growths? I find these guys to grow pretty much in a single outward direction (give or take some). Also, does the pbulb look healthy?

[Syrinth]

I only got the plant at the end of April, so I've no idea about growth patterns.

The pseduobulb is mostly buried in media but from what tiny bit of it I can see, it appears the same as all the other ones.

*The pseudobulb in question is wedged into the corner and surrounded by other bulbs so I really can't go excavating*

[zxyqu]

Ha, that's ok. My first Psy was decimated by too much direct sunlight, and I lost 3 leaves, but it's still very much alive. If it looks pretty good (without excavating), I really wouldn't worry too much about it. Just keep a closer eye on the other leaves to make sure they dont start showing symptoms. Otherwise, keep us posted on that spike!

[Syrinth]

Oh, it's still alive?

I mercy killed my first one a few months ago because it was just going downhill...leaves turning yellow, black spots appear on them :/

I'll keep y'all posted on the spike

[zxyqu]

Yup, it had only 1.5 leaves left due to the sun damage, but put out a new growth during season, and spike started throwing a bud as well (though it aborted.. Grr). Mine's pretty hardy

[Oscarman]

It looks like your plant is shedding an old growth, or the oldest growth's leaf. Sun damage would be more localized. Don't think you have anything to worry about.

Had mine in a west window with 1-2 hours of direct afternoon sun each day - with the seasonal change it was gradually exposed to more light.

Do you know how long it has been in it's current potting media? They do not like to stay wet.

[Syrinth]

I believe it's been potted relatively recently, I've been letting it dry between waterings.

That being said, I am relatively new, but one of my friends looked at it before we bought it and commented that she thinks it had been recently potted.