Finally pics of problem with phal

[greenpassion]

I had posted a few weeks ago about an issue with one of my phals, but couldn't get my camera to work. Well, today I was successful. To recap, this phal began to show something wrong with a lower leaf last fall. It continues to put out new roots and new leaves, but the 'disease? ' seems to be spreading. It's in a mix of orchidada, sponge rock, a bit of miss moss and charcoal. It is in an East window, watered with MSU fertilizer once a month. My water is well water. I've been spraying with physan 20 over the past 10 days. Any advice??

[jkofferdahl]

It looks like you're losing an older, lower leaf.

[Roberta]

As long as it is the bottom leaf, just force of nature... the old leaves do eventually yellow and drop. As long as it's putting out roots and growing at the top (upper leaves look fine) there's nothing to worry about. If you think that the bottom leaf has some sort of infection, you can remove it with a new single-edge razor blade (and then also throw the razor blade away. But if it's just normal progression, eventually it will separate from the plant by itself.

[greenpassion]

Thanks for your replies. The problem is I think it's spreading to the leaves above the one affected. I tried to show it in the pic. Tomorrow I'll take some more shots. I'm familiar with phals losing lower leaves, and this is not something that looks similar.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Thanks for your replies. The problem is I think it's spreading to the leaves above the one affected. I tried to show it in the pic. Tomorrow I'll take some more shots. I'm familiar with phals losing lower leaves, and this is not something that looks similar.

If it looks like it's spreading, it wouldn't harm the plant to cut the next leaf, that's showing issues. But first also look underneath the leaves, make sure there are no spider mites (may take a hand lens to see them if there are not too many) They can do considerable damage before they're noticed. Spraying underside of leaves with soapy water (or horticultural oil, or even "leaf shine") will kill pests if that is what's going on .

[greenpassion]

Yes. I had thought of that, and am certain it's not an insect problem. I have inspected this phal numerous times and haven't found anything. Perhaps it is just an aged leaf-but I've never seen them turn redish/ rust colored with pitted black spots before. I don't want to run for the cliff here, but maybe I should just discard this plant before her neighbors come down with it??

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Yes. I had thought of that, and am certain it's not an insect problem. I have inspected this phal numerous times and haven't found anything. Perhaps it is just an aged leaf-but I've never seen them turn redish/ rust colored with pitted black spots before. I don't want to run for the cliff here, but maybe I should just discard this plant before her neighbors come down with it??

Rather than dump the plant, I'd suggest just cutting the leaf(leaves) that show a problem. Then if more leaves get it, then you can probably conclude that it's diseased. In the meantime, some isolation would certainly be a good idea - put it in a different window (even if a little less ideal)

[greenpassion]

Yes. Good idea. I'll do that. I love this board

[NYCorchidman]

Yeah, cut that leaf off. It does not look like typical old leaf dying off. That dark center and lighter area around it suggests that something is going on.
Removing the leaf should be the end of it, usually.

[greenpassion]

Okay. The next day that I have off I will get a new blade and take the necessary precautions and take that leap off. It seems all of a sudden I am inundated with problem orchids. It's funny because well not funny but it's odd but I have never had any problems with the help of my orchids and I have so many in full bloom - and now I seem to be Awash in issues of Health.