Help! Big spot on new Phal.

[B3finga]

Hi, this is my first post here but surely won't be my last. I just bought this Phal. yesterday and the potting medium was all moss and waterlogged so I thought I'd repot it immediately. I got rid of all the moss, cut away a few rotten roots and sprayed them with peroxide. I noticed that some of the roots, while healthy looking and fleshy, had a pink tint to them. That was a new one for me. I repotted it in a fir bark mix and gave it some water and put it on a shelf with the rest of my plants.

This morning, I woke up to find this big spot on one of the leaves. I've done my research and think it might be a bacterial infection. What should I do?

[Cntry]

Originally Posted by B3finga

Hi, this is my first post here but surely won't be my last. I just bought this Phal. yesterday and the potting medium was all moss and waterlogged so I thought I'd repot it immediately. I got rid of all the moss, cut away a few rotten roots and sprayed them with peroxide. I noticed that some of the roots, while healthy looking and fleshy, had a pink tint to them. That was a new one for me. I repotted it in a fir bark mix and gave it some water and put it on a shelf with the rest of my plants.

This morning, I woke up to find this big spot on one of the leaves. I've done my research and think it might be a bacterial infection. What should I do?

Welcome to the orchid board.

Here is some information about phals It is called The Phal Abuse Ends Here. The Phal abuse ends here.

I think since you just purchased the phal and put it with your other plants it is sunburn. You may have it to close to the window.

[B3finga]

Would that happen that severe in one day? The window doesn't get direct sun. It's a north facing window, and all my other Phals seem to love it as well as my Cypripediums and my Goodyeras.

[dangerouseddy]

if its a bacterial infection it should be wet and smelly I think. if it is, its best to get it sorted asap since it progresses rapidly.

[Cntry]

When I put mine outside I got sunburn the first day and I had it in a shaded area below the other orchids I have. I didn't have shade cloth yet but had a curtain up and the green house is shaded by a big tree as well as my back porch area and over hang of the back of my house. It gets about 3 hours of morning sun and a little about sunset. I had the burn mark the next morning. I had to add a sheet over the plastic and the curtain just above my Phals till I got shade cloth. So yes it can happen fast.

You may want to take it back to the store you purchased it from and see if they will exchange it for a new one but you have to have the original receipt and packaging the plant was in. Some stores will do it some will not. But it could be worth a try.

[orchids44]

My guess is Erwinia, a bacterial rot, especially if the spot is soft and mushy.
The treatment is to cut the leaf off with a sterile instrument and treat with bacteriocide. Physan is one if you have it.
Happy Growing