What is this white and black area on my Phalaenopsis?

[AmberVon]

I have had this happen to a couple of my orchids and I'm concerned. The first time it happened to one of my plants months ago I freaked out and cut the leaf up. That particular plant is currently budding and seems content despite my horrible mutilation to it's leaves.

On this plant, the spot showed up within the past few days. It started out a little soft and puffy and then shriveled up to this white and black area. Otherwise the plant seems happy. I just don't know if this is a matter of over/under watering, lighting issues, etc.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!

Links to pictures of the leaf :

http://bloodredmoon.com/orchids/leaf1.jpg
http://bloodredmoon.com/orchids/leaf2.jpg

[Marissa]

Looks like sunburn to me, I can be wrong though.

[Lagoon]

Its a little hard to see from the photos, but it looks like sun damage. Where is you're phal located?
Pull it back if its direct sunlight.

[PaphMadMan]

Sunburn. It is getting too much light on occassional bright sunny days. Whatever part of the leaf happens to get the brightest sun bleaches out and dies. Move the plant back from the window or put up a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. Don't cut the leaf. The remaining healthy tissue still strengthens the plant and the bleached out area won't spread and rarely causes any problem unless it stays wet and start to rot.

[glengary54]

4 for 4, we have a consensus, sun damage.

[AmberVon]

Thank you so much!! I'll put my orchids on the bottom shelf of the sun window instead.