Help! Black Rot on the crown of my Phalaenopsis?

[notsogreenthumb]

I've had my Phalaenopsis orchid for 2 years and it's just flower spiking for it's 3rd time in that time. A few days ago I discovered a yellowed leaf which separated very easy from the plant and upon closer inspection I've found what appears to be definite signs off rot.

I really want to do whats best for my flower. I really love her and my bf will be super sad if she dies.

What kind of love do I need to give my poor Phal. :*(

[Wynn Dee13]

Was the leaf that fell off one of the bottom leaves? It is normal for the bottom leaves to age, turn yellow and drop at some point. It doesn't look like crown rot but I can't see the crown. Crown rot is rot on top and in the middle of the plant where the new leaves grow from. The black spots you have are not in the crown but on the lower leaves. Is that the only black spot on the stem of the plant? Is the black part any deeper than those two leaves? It doesn't look any deeper in the picture than the leaf each spot is on. Is the black spot squishy or smelly, wet, or ooze any fluid? If it is dry I wouldn't worry about it unless it spreads. If it is wet and squishy put ground cinnamon on it. It is a natural anti-microbial and will also dry up the spots. I would put it on the spots even if it is dry just in case. You can also carefully cut out the black part on each leaf and dust the cuts with the cinnamon. I usually dip my finger in water then in the cinnamon and dab it on the area. Be careful not to get the cinnamon on the roots though.

When you water make sure you don't get water in the crown of the plant or in the leaf axils. If you do, dry it out with a paper towel.

I don't think it is bad enough to kill the plant. Try the cinnamon it really works! Good luck and if you need anymore help just ask!

[silken]

I agree with Wynn Dee13. So long as the very centre is not black it should be OK

[notsogreenthumb]

WEll I guess I was using the word crown wrong LOL... anyhow I did what you said and I carefully removed some of the black on the leaves... got a little overzealous tho when examining the underside of a leaf and ended up removing it... uhg but I figure next year I'll repot the thing and just sink it further into the moss so it looks less naked near the bottom

[Bud]

your plant is healthy with new roots coming out. that black spot is a fungi infestation by the yellow rings around the blackened spot; I think it is just surface not deep within the crown ...it can be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide and then hope it doesnt spread...

[RosieC]

Unfortunately I disagree with the others. It looks just like one of mine did and everyone said they thought it was nothing to worry about... however I never did work out what it was before it killed the plant.

It was like a dry necrosis spot on the side of the plant. It didn't spread fast but did over about 6 months go from about 5mm diameter to about 10mm diameter. More though it just kept going deeper into the plant and steadily the leaves dropped with it as it did.

I'm afraid I can't help because I never did discover the cause, but I would keep this plant away from your others so it can't spread to them. I hope I'm wrong and this is something different, or I hope someone can help with how to treat it, but personally that black spot doesn't look good to me, sorry