Sunburn, fert burn, or disease

[GardenTheater]

I've had this Burrageara Nelly Isler over a year. The good news is that it has two spikes. The bad news is that the leaves are turning brown. I did increase the light level in my window with a new LED bulb. My water is working for my Masdevallias and angracoids so I don't think it's that. I increased the fertilizer, but quickly stopped when I saw the leaves browning and flushed pot with water. I'm back to weekly weakly. The pleating is old news and I've increased the watering to handle that. What do you think yellowing and browning is? Thanks much!

Burrageara Nelly Isler by Gardentheater, on Flickr

Burrageara Nelly Isler by Gardentheater, on Flickr

[Bud]

I wondered why you decided to increase the fertilizer? Weekly weakly is already too much for some plants all year round - in fact I decrease fertilizer in winter; but when I see new growths or buds then I resume the regular regimen not increase it.
Take note the roots of these plants are very fine and thin = not as thick as Phals or Vandas....
now you know what fertilizer burn looks like.

[james mickelso]

I agree with Bud's analysis. Waaaaaay too much fertilizer. You may have damaged the roots in the process. Did you flush the pot really good? I mean flush with tepid water for 15 mins and then allow to dry before watering again?

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by Bud

I wondered why you decided to increase the fertilizer? Weekly weakly is already too much for some plants all year round - in fact I decrease fertilizer in winter; but when I see new growths or buds then I resume the regular regimen not increase it.
Take note the roots of these plants are very fine and thin = not as thick as Phals or Vandas....
now you know what fertilizer burn looks like.

Thanks Bud. I had good results increasing fert on another orchid and silly me decided to try it with this one too. I need to do more flushing with water.

---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:02 PM ----------

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I agree with Bud's analysis. Waaaaaay too much fertilizer. You may have damaged the roots in the process. Did you flush the pot really good? I mean flush with tepid water for 15 mins and then allow to dry before watering again?

Thanks James! I didn't flush it that long and will do it longer tomorrow. We have a drought here and I'll save the water that runs out and use in the garden.

[Bud]

I see there's new growths....hopefully it will replace the damaged leaves. Just trim the browned tips to rule out fungi or bacteria that might infest it.
Your spike and buds might not be affected since it is still in formative stage. Post blooms of your orchid plant and we can see results of your flushing it.

[GardenTheater]

Originally Posted by Bud

I see there's new growths....hopefully it will replace the damaged leaves. Just trim the browned tips to rule out fungi or bacteria that might infest it.
Your spike and buds might not be affected since it is still in formative stage. Post blooms of your orchid plant and we can see results of your flushing it.

Thanks! Seems like plant is devoting its energy and resources to the blooms as would be expected. Good idea to trim off the brown to avoid an infection or get rid of one that might already be in there. I'll do that and keep on eye on plant to see if it stops getting worse. It's a pretty big plant so I hope I don't need to cut the second spike (not in photos) to save it. Will definitely post the bloom photos.