Brown Spot Eating Through Phalaenopsis Leaf

[mycuppybear]

I just noticed a huge deformity in one of the leaves of my phalaenopsis orchid. It's like something just ate through the center of the leaf. It's a huge brown crevice-like spot and it's dryer than the rest of the leaf. Kind of looks like sunburn, or maybe some kind of bacterial/fungal rot? I've seen this before in pictures, but I can't remember what it's called. I think it's pretty common. Please can anyone tell me what this is and how to fix it? Pictures are attached. Luckily, the rest of the orchid looks just fine.

[RosieC]

I don't know what it is... but I would keep a very close eye on it and if it spreads at all cut the leaf off ensuring the remove all the affected area.

Use a sterile blade and dab the cut leaf with cinnamon to avoid any infection in the cut.

It may be sun-burn in which case it won't spread but if it spreads it's either fungal or bacterial and needs removing before it affects the rest of the plant.

[Paul Mc]

I had a spot very similar to this on one of mine. I have to agree that you should keep a close eye on it. My phal almost died because I didn't realize what was going on - I just thought it was sunburned as well. The good news is that my phal is still alive a year later, struggling, but appears to be pulling through.