Phalaenopsis WAS healthy now the leaves are dieing and falling off.

[AJRay]

I received my Phal a year ago. It had two lovely spikes. When the blooms fell, I cut one spike and trimmed the other which bloomed again. Then we moved in early Jan. It seemed to take it well. The blooms fell in late Feb and I cut that spike off as well. Now the two lower leaves have turned yellow and died. What happened and what can I do now?

[Wynn Dee13]

It is natural for Phals to shed their oldest leaves at some point. Then it will grow more. The leaves don't last forever. They should fall from the bottom and grow from the top. When the bottom leaves start to die, they start to turn yellow then drop. You just have to be patient and let it grow some new leaves now that it is done blooming. Then hopefully after it grows it's new leaves it will reward you with a spike in the fall or winter. As long as the root system is healthy and it doesn't loose all the leaves it should be fine. Is it only the two bottom leaves that have died? How many healthy leaves does it have?


Wynn Dee

[AJRay]

Thank you, Wynn Dee. My heart sank when I saw the leaves the other day. It still has two large leave and one smaller one growing. I will just continue what I am doing and hope for the best. You set my mind at ease. Thanks!

[camille1585]

Wynn Dee summed it up pretty well. It all depends on how the roots are. If they are fine, then it's normal leaf drop.
You can post a pic of the plant if you want, so we can be sure that it's fine!

[Wynn Dee13]

Your welcome! It's a good sign that it is growing a new leaf. You must be doing something right since you have kept it alive for this long! I don't think I kept my first few orchids alive for that long!

Wynn Dee