Dropping leaf #2??

[Higgins23]

I repotted one of my larger phals about 3 weeks ago after cutting the flower spike off. The roots looked to be in excellent condition. Immediately after repotting it dropped a bottom leaf (totally expected). But now, here we are about 2 weeks later and its large, thick, what I thought was healthy bottom leaf is turning yellow very quickly and will most likely drop too. Is this normal?? It will leave it with only three big green leaves. See pic.

[RosieC]

It sometimes can be. How were the roots when you repotted and were they damaged as you repotted?

[Brooke]

Normally when a leaf is dropping from old age, the yellow starts at the tip. When it starts at the stem you could have a slight infection on it. Use regular drug store peroxide or alcohol or Listerine or Physan and pour in that area. Wait a couple of days and douse it again.

If it is a bacterial infection you want to stop it before it works it way up to the crown and you lose the entire plant.

Brooke

[Higgins23]

Originally Posted by RosieC

It sometimes can be. How were the roots when you repotted and were they damaged as you repotted?

Roots are in excellent condition.

[Island Girl]

I agree with what Brooke said, and I'd add that I think you may have the stem of your Phal buried a little too deep... I would suggest to do as Brooke said, and also, to remove the top layer of bark, don't worry if you uncover a little bit/parts of the roots, they can be out in the air, but the base of the stem (where the leaves have come from/grown off of -- I'm talking about the portion below the leaves) should not be potted quite as deep as you have it... It's not too too deep, but deeper than I would like, IMHO.

It may be that it has an infection from the area surrounding the stem being kept too moist. Peroxide, Listerine (the original, brown colored one), isopropyl alcohol, or Physan 20, should help fend it off... Just pour them straight out of the bottle, (*except* for the Physan, mix/dilute that according to label instructions), and onto the stem/base of the leaf - just don't let any liquid stay in the crown too long (if you get liquid in the crown, just soak it out with a tissue or paper towel or something. Re-apply every couple days, and keep the area dry otherwise.

If I were at home, I could take a pic of (in my opinion) how high you should have your Phal in its pot, but I'm not near any of my orchids to take pics of them (8 hrs away, atm). Sorry.

Good Luck! Hope your Phal recovers! I don't think it's too bad tho, just keep an eye on it, and keep it disinfected, and dry.

[Higgins23]

Thanks folks! This is helpful. I don't recall if the yellow started at the tip or at the center and now it's end-to-end, so that's not good . I'll use some peroxide and clear out some of the top bark and see if I can get her to feel better. Bums me out. I'll keep you posted and please feel free to keep the suggestions coming!