Yellow/droopy leaves on Phalaenopsis

[GraceFace]

I bought this phalaenopsis three years ago, and am sort of amazed it has made it this long. Within the last three months though, it has dropped two leaves, and is about ready to drop a third one, all leaves have been at the base of the plant. After it dropped the first leaf, it began putting on new growth/roots that seem pretty healthy looking to me. Before the leaves started dropping, I was fertilizing on half the recommended ratio once a month, and just plain water as needed between fertilizing. I've since stopped so as not to add stress. The orchid is by a south east facing window, with profuse filtered morning sun.

Normal ? Suggestions ? Thanks in advance !

[marydaniellesantos]

It sounds like it's just shedding the old leaves, I've learned that if there is healthy new growth, not to worry. Maybe someone will correct me, but I don't think there's any alarm to worry.

[RosieC]

It does look overall healthy so could just be shedding old leaves but it seems strange it is doing several in quick sucession.

A couple of things to think about...

1. stopping fertilising is not a good thing to do... it's like withdrawing food from a sick person, food is not stress.

2. If you have not repotted in three years then it is possible it's roots are suffering due to the break down in the medium. If it really has been three years since it was last repotted (or more) then I would advise repotting but make sure you use a high quality medium from an orchid specialist. rePotme Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Care - Orchid Fertilizer is meant to be good in the USA although I'm in the UK so use a more local site.

3. This might seem a contradiction to what I said in point 1, but it is possible you have fertiliser buildup. You say you water with ordinary water between fertilising but do you rince a lot of water through the medium or just a small amount. It can be good to (at least once a month) run a lot of water through the pot to carry away the fertiliser salts and 'flush' the medium through. This is not the same as fertilising less... this is removing the buildup of the salts used to hold the nutrients in solution.