Phal leaves turning colors
 

So my very first orchid - a phal that I bought just about a month ago - doesn't look like it's doing so great. It has 3 leaves - 2 fairly large, one small. One large leaf and the small leaf are both turning pinkish/yellowish/brownish.

I had my orchid on my desk in the living room which has northern exposure, and when I noticed that the leaves were turning colors I moved it to the kitchen which has southern exposure. Both rooms get good light, I've been taking care not to over water, and I fed it once so far with Schultz orchid food.

Here is a picture of the leaves, and a picture of the blooms which are starting to wilt. There's also a bud that has never opened and looks like it's starting to shrivel a bit.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/...cdd8ed.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2471/...823bd4.jpg?v=0

Should I cut the spike already, would this help? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

It looks like it's on its way out to me. Could we see the roots?

Yeah, unfortunately that's how mine looked right before it died :( My phals death was related to root issues and over watering......

My :twocents:? It looks to me like it could possibly be due to sunburn. You mentioned that you moved it from a north-facing window to one that's south-facing. It's possible that the sudden change in light intensity fried it. I've never been in that situation, so I'm afraid I don't have any advice or thoughts about how bad the prognosis is.

It doesn't look like sunburn too me. Sunburn would have made areas of the leaf die and blacken, not discolor the entire leaf. Have you unpotted to check the condition of the roots? That's usually the first thing to do when a plant has problems, because most of the time the problems come from there. But seeing as the very newest leaves are affected and not the lowest one yet, it might be something like crownrot. Have you gotten water in the crown?

I haven't unpotted it to look at the roots actually so I'll check them out tonight.

Camille - is the crown the center part where the leaves come together? I'm very new to orchids. :) I may have gotten water in that area. Is there anything that can be done about that if it's crownrot and not rootrot?

I moved it after I noticed that the leaves were turning colors so I don't think it would be due to the change in light.

OK, I just took a quick cell phone pic of the roots...I take it these are not healthy? Is there anything I can do, would repotting help?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/...b0e685.jpg?v=0

I'm afraid those roots don't look healthy and with the state of the plant it might mean it's a gonner I'm afraid.

If the crown (yes that's the center of the leaves where new leaves grow from) and the leaves nearest to the crown looked green then I would say it was worth trying to save, but I'm not sure with that one.

First thing to do if you want to try, is cut off all roots which are soft/mushy and see what you have left. If you have none left (which it looks like may be the case here) then a technique called 'sphag-n-bag' is probably the best bet. I can't find my link to it just now but try searching on the term as there are sure to be lots of links here on OB.

I've found the link for Sphag-n-bag

Sphag-n-Bag

Thanks for the link Rosie, I may just chalk this one up as my first casualty and a learning experience. I have a second phal that's looking good so I just need to inspect its roots too.

I appreciate everyones' help!

It would be a good idea to check the roots of your other one. It's a lot easier to save an orchid with bad roots if the plant is healthy still, unfortunately we often don't spot there is a root problem until the plant starts showing signs of it.

As has been said above, take care not to get water in the crown of your other one. If you do then a bit of paper towel can be used to remove it.

Also don't water on a set schedule, if you can put it in a clear pot then that can help judge when to water. If the roots (right down to the bottom) are visible then you can water when they turn silvery and if they are still green you know not to water yet. If you don't have a clear pot try using a wodden skewer pushed in to the medium. If it is damp/cold on your cheek when you pull it out, then it is not time to water yet.

Best of luck in saving your orchid... I save a cattleya that looked worst than that, so don't get discouraged. You won't see results overnight, but you can make the venture to save this one if you so decide.

I'd snip away the mushy brown roots, pour some household peroxide over the remaining roots to dry out any water-rot that could be remaining and then let it drain off for about fifteen minutes.

Then give Rosie's sphag-n-bag method a shot! Good luck!

Great link Rosie! I can only add that someone as an emergency measure uses to to drench the survived roots with a liquid hormon (in Italy we ve got one called 66F, but I know of one in USa colled something like Dip 'n Grow), let it dry for half an hour or so and then go with the sphag-n-bag. I haven't use it myself, but it sounds like a good idea when the situation is nearly desperate.

I'll definitely check the roots of my other orchid. I need to get some clear pots for my orchids to make this a little easier. :)

To snip the roots do I need to use a sterile razor blade for each one? I read on the AOS site that you should use one when you cut a flower spike.

You don't need a sterile razor blade for each root. Just use a sterile razor blade or scissors.
Joann

I have a pair of bonsai snippers that I use to snip away and trim only my orchids. After each use, I wash them in antibacterial soap under scalding water and then I flame the blade with a lighter for good measure. You don't want to pass around the germs ;)