Cutting dead parts of leaves off?
 

Ok, I can't seem to find this anywhere, but hopefully someone can answer this. I've got a couple chids they clearly have some dead spots on the leaves, my Oncs especially, but some on my phals. Should I cut off the ends of the leaves, or just "leaf" them be? Thanks for any help/thoughts.

If the parts of the leaves are dead as a door knob, then you can cut them off without causing harm.

agreed. if they still have green around them leave them be. if they are brown and crispy and dried out you can cut that part off without a problem

Consider taking the precaution of rubbing some cinnamon on the freshly cut edge.

Fungal problems on Oncidium are generic and seldom a problem.

Dark spots can be ignored.

Dark and light brown stripes across the leaves starting at the tips are slightly more serious and unless cut off will keep spreading. Cut far enough away into the green portion of the leaf.

A solid brown tip is common when we grow them drier in less humidity than they like. It can be removed or not depending on how you think it looks better. The plant does not care what you do.

On the Phal the spot is less common. If it is wet and soft and spreading it is fusarium fungus and should be cut off. If it is dry and not spreading it is probably sunburn and can be ignored.

Just thought I should mention, that any time you cut a plant, you should either sterilize your blade before you cut the next plant, or use a different one. Flame-sterilizing is best, but bleach will work too. You don't want to spread any viruses or other problems around your collection.