Phalaenopsisi white/brown spots on leaves

[Hmmm15]

Greetings!

I purchase this phalaenopsis about 3 months ago from Whole Food. It was doing ok and survived the blooming time. I cut off the spikes after the flowers gone. Lately, it got a few problems.

1. It grew some on a bottom leaf and I cut it off; however the leaf on top of it seems infected by that and later it has similar spot as well. Please see attached images.




2. The leaves are very dry, not shiny at all. I try not to over water it ( once a week); whenever I watered it, one of the bottom leave would get yellowish, so I stop watering it.

How to treat the spots? Can this plant still get saved?
Why the plant is so dry yet still get yellow leaves after watering?
Should I repot it right away?

This is my first orchid. I really wish I could it keep for longer time. Any insight would be really helpful!


Thank you!

[Leafmite]

No idea but I will give you some links:
Two helpful orchid society sites:
Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases
http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/...ySueBottom.pdf
Cloud's orchid's:
Diagnosing Orchid Problems

[Carpe Diem]

Being a beginner myself, I can't help you with the spots, but more experienced members will.
I think you need to cut off the old spike and pull the Phal. out of the pot to get a good look at the roots. Roots that are soft, mushy and/or black, need cutting off, because they are rotten. Put a little cinnamom (yes, the spice) on the cuts only. After cutting off root mass, you most likely need a smaller pot to put the plant in, with fresh bark. Most people presoak the new bark for about 24 hrs, so it absorbes the future waterings better.
I have all my orchids in clear plastic pots with good drainage, so I can see what's going on with the roots. I also put a wooden skewer down into the bark and pull it out periodically to check the moisture. If the skewer is dry or almost dry, it's time to water.
All of the above I have learnt here on the Board from members and it has served me well.
THANK YOU one and all!

oops, just saw that you cut the spike already

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

[Wynn Dee13]

I don't see any spots that look bad but it is dehydrated. I would check the roots like the others said. I'm sure you will find your issue there. Post pics of the roots when you get it out of the pot. Any firm roots are good. Cut off any hollow squishy roots cause that means they are dead. Good luck!

[Hmmm15]

Originally Posted by Wynn Dee13

I don't see any spots that look bad but it is dehydrated. I would check the roots like the others said. I'm sure you will find your issue there. Post pics of the roots when you get it out of the pot. Any firm roots are good. Cut off any hollow squishy roots cause that means they are dead. Good luck!

Thank you Wynn Dee. I am waiting for orchid mix shipped to my place then repot... It might take a few days.. Do you think my phal can still wait for a bit? I will put up some pix when I repot it...

[Wynn Dee13]

It should be ok for a few days. But as soon as you get your mix repot. Remember to soak the mix for at least 24 hours before you use it.

[Wynn Dee13]

Oh and if you have a lot of dead roots you will need to get a smaller pot. Pick a pot that just fits the healthy roots. You don't want to over pot. It leads to root rot because there is so much extra media that doesn't dry out fast enough. You want to match the pot to the roots not the top growth. If it is top heavy you can place the pot into a heavier clay pot or decorative pot to support it but leave a gap between the pots for airflow. I like clear plastic pots so I can see what the roots are doing. Phal roots will photosynthesize if they are exposed to light too.

[NYCorchidman]

I have bought a few phals from the whole foods market. They are usually white and pink, but occasionaly some different colors and patterns and the new one that recently opened near where I live have such diverse types that I'm in awe! and they are sold for $9!!! less than half the price as other locations. I don't know why.

Anywho, phals from whole food usually come in sphagnum moss, which is fine, but too often, it's too tightly packed in the pot that too much water stays in the moss. This can lead to yellowing of leaves or root rot.

The wrinkly leaves on your plant is definitely a sign of drying either from under or overwatering.
The roots look quite dry to me, but then again, it might be wet deep in the media.
So the best way is to check the roots. I suspect your plant has lost most of its root and suffering dehydration.
If it has good roots, then drainge could be the issue suffocating the plant roots leading to yellowing leaves.
so check the roots. If they are good roots, try more open mix like bark. If roots are mostly gone, then you can still try and save the plant, but the result is not guarunteed and takes a long time to recover.
If you can find similar flower color at the same store, I would just buy a new one and start over.

Regarding white/brown spot, I too have hard time identifying them on your picture. If they are spreading, then it's bad. Phals usually don't get anything on their leaves.
If spots keep coming back even after trimming the affected area, you can try spraying chemicals.