Crown rot? Top leaves get yellow. Please help.

[HM85]

Hi everyone.
I got an orchid as gift less then 2 months ago.
Since I got it there’s only problems with it.
I’m not an expert in orchids but I try my best to learn and take care of what I have.
Few days after I got it I nothiced a leave in the pot in the bark, I grabbed it and it went out easy without making any effort. Few days after about 2-3 leaves from the bottom died and fell and lots of flower died too and some survived.
Then I started to notice problems on the top. The leave in the top turned yellow from the crown area slowly and I saw a stain of dry liquid that went to the crown (I don’t think it is water stain because of the weird color, but I can’t be sure). The leave died and again I just touched it and it fell. Now there was a new leave with same problem I took it off yesterday because I realized it infect the orchid. But the crown is yellow and I see the next leave in order is getting lighter and yellow. I don’t know what to do. I can’t easily get materials I see people use to help their orchids.
I only get the bark wet never water from the top. No direct sunlight. I lost count but I think it lost between 6-8 leaves, now it have only 4. The leave in the picture is one I took out yesterday.
And I have a picture from the day I got it.
I would appreciate any help.
And I’m sorry if my English isn’t the best, tried my best.

Thank you,
Hila.

[Ray]

While I cannot tell you exactly why the top is failing, it does not look like crown rot.

I'd bet the primary issue is underwatering. Such phalaenopsis hybrids prefer to be very warm, shady, and have a steady supply of water at the roots.

There appears to be enough of the plant left, that if you start watering correctly, it may very well recover.

Judge with weight of the plant and pot now, when it isn't dry. Then water the medium very thoroughly, wait 30 minutes and repeat. Water it again before it gets a light as it was before.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

Your English is good.

There is a thread here about learning to grow Phalaenopsis. In the yellow menu at the left click Forums. Then click Beginners. Look near the top for The Phal abuse stops here.

[HM85]

Thank you for taking the time to answer.
I’m almost sure it’s not a water problem. I give water once a week and I check daily on the orchid, every night I see water drops (from humidity) on the pot from the inside, that way I know it got enough of water.
I still think it got a problem in the crown area, I made a better picture. You might able to see white spot that looks like mold (I think), it is also soft.
And the other leaves get yellow slowly but fast.
I have a feeling it will die.
Also... I have another orchid for 2 years, no issues with that one.

[Ray]

Yes, with that photo, I would agree with crown rot. Sprinkle some cinnamon powder in the crown to thoroughly dry it out and stop fungal growth. A new growth front may form from the base.

What day and night temperatures does it get?

[HM85]

Thank you, Ray.
When I got it it was still cold so I kept him and my other orchid inside the house for winter. For the last few weeks they are both outside and temperatures are a bit crazy in this season.
We had a really hot week last week but this week is and will be between 19-28c in the day and 13-17c during night.
I’m not sure if to move them in at night is a good decision.
Too cold isn’t good for them but also moving them often, I’m a bit turn on what would be the best thing to do.
My friend have 2 orchids both are outside winter and summer get direct sunlight too, both looks stressed (small leaves and 1 of them have dripping leaves) and both have a new stem growing, after a 2 year of setback.
Orchids can be so confusing
I’ll do what you said and hopefully it will help, even for a future new growth.

[estación seca]

Phalaenopsis do not like cold. They are warm-growing orchids. Your plant might have cold damage, and not crown rot.

They survive nights at 13-15C if the next day is a lot warmer. If it is consistently around 15C day and night they are likely to die. 13C is very cold for them and some deaths should be expected.

If your friend's orchid is also a Phalaenopsis, full sun is too much. They are shade plants. They do best when the light is just strong enough to make a shadow with diffuse edges, not sharp edges.

[HM85]

I know and I understand that’s why I keep them inside when it’s too cold. I added pictures, looks like the leaves get yellow very fast. Temperatures are nice, day and night, the last few days. I kinda accepted the fact he won’t survive whatever happened to him before I got him (makes me sad).
But I have hope he will have a new growth.
I want to thank you both for taking the time to read and help me.
Have a good week,
Thank you
Hila

[estación seca]

Sometimes, when a plant has crown rot, if the treatment stops the infection, the plant has good roots and there is some living stem remaining, it may make new growth from the stem below the crown.

[Roberta]

You said that the plant started to have problems within a few days after you got it. I think that it is probable that the plant was already sick when it came to you. Sometimes a plant that is not healthy will bloom, in a last attempt to reproduce itself (after all, that is the purpose of flowers...) Heat and cold damage can appear quickly, but rot issues usually take longer (orchids don't do anything fast, they tend even to die slowly) So... it sounds to me like you are doing the right things, and that it is likely that this plant's problems did not come from anything that you did. A strong plant can survive considerable abuse and beginner's errors, a weak plant may not survive even with the very best of expert care. I think you need ANOTHER orchid!