Yellow leaf and mealy bugs?

[Joyorchid]

I bought this little phal in spike from a reputable orchid nursery near my home a few weeks ago. I placed it under a skylight in our kitchen and water it twice a week. It is potted in fir bark, perlite and charcoal. I fertilize weekly with a 13-8-9 solution that has calcium and magnesium. I found mealies on it last week and sprayed with a alcohol and soap mixture. Have not seen mealies since but today I noticed the leaf is yellow. BTW, the crown and roots look good.

[Joyorchid]

Here are the roots...

[Joyorchid]

Here is the crown...

[silken]

It looks like just the oldest bottom leaf is dying off which is normal.

[james mickelso]

Ditto. But watch for jr mealies in the axil (junction where the leaf meets the stem) because they like to hide there. That will also turn the leaf yellow.

[lepetitmartien]

Count a few weeks before saying "hooray, down the mealies!"

Old leaf, sunburn, or the plant needed to dispose of it as it's spiking… The leaf will detached itself nicely in a few days. If it doesn't spread, you're safe.

[Joyorchid]

I have the Bayer 2 in 1 spray (with insecticide and fungacide) but am a bit aprehnsive to use it. Will it hurt my flowers?

[Island Girl]

It's possible that it could harm buds/flowers, (I don't know that spray specifically tho, as I haven't used it), I think u can prob wait until *if* u see more mealies, before u spray... Just keep an eye out for the mealies, as James said Good Luck, & post pics of the flowers... We love to see pics!