Yellowing leaves! Help!

[musicts]

Hey,
I got a new Phalaenopsis last week, I got it because of its bright yellow and pink flowers. When I watered it for the first time, I noticed some of the leaves were yellowing. When I further inspected the roots, it is very wet, to the point that algae is growing on the sides of the plastic pot. I drilled some holes in the sides of the pot, as I'm now assuming the yellowing is the start of crown rot. anything else I can/should do for this plant? It's so pretty, I don't want to loose it. Just incase, I haven't put him with my other orchids quite yet!

[WhiteRabbit]

Algae in pots is normal, even for plants grown drier, especially in clear pots (nitrogen from fertilizer+water+light=algae). But, it does sound like the plant has been too wet. They are frequently potted in packed sphagnum moss which will dry very slowly.

Are the yellowing leaves at the crown, or at the bottom of the plant? Crown rot can develop even without overwatering. If it's yellow from the bottom, and your potting media has been very wet, it could be root rot. You should probably take it out of the pot so you can check the roots (might lose the blooms doing this, might not) but if the roots are rotting it will need a repot.

[musicts]

Some of the roots were yellowing at the bottom, one was turning dark. I changed the potting medium...