What's wrong with this Phal??

[CLStilwell99]

This one has just been going more and more downhill. It wasn't very healthy when I purchased it though. But now the top leaves have gotten pretty bad. Should I cut them off?
There is a new leaf growing and the phal is in spike.
Sorry, I couldn't get the greatest pictures. It looks worse in person.

[smwboxer]

Looks like sunburn to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

[espranch]

I think it needs to be re-potted. Look at that dark, wet media...rotten roots, perhaps? Betty :-(

[CLStilwell99]

It's been outside in my shadehouse and it's never looked like this until just the other day. And I forgot to mention that I had JUST watered it right before I took the picture.

[espranch]

Well, if it were my orchid, I'd take it out of its pot ( carefully ) and have a look at the roots. It also looks like SOMETHING has been snacking on the under side of that one leaf that you held up. Just my humble opinion...Betty

[CLStilwell99]

I repotted it in early May....and if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure I had to cut off a lot of roots. But there were a few nice and healthy ones left. Should I check and repot it again?

[espranch]

What kind of a pot is it in? Does it get good drainage? Phals like to ALMOST dry out before getting another drink. I pot mine in clay pots with slits, or plastic pots with lots of holes for great drainage. It's your call, but if it were mine, I WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE ROOTS. Take a very close look at that leaf, too. I believe something ( bug ) my be snacking on it. Sometime they hide in the media...Good Luck, Betty

[CLStilwell99]

It's a pot with slits on the side and holes on the bottom. I'd say it probably dries out within 3-4 days. I'm going to replace all of the media and take a look at the roots.

[AtantaR]

I would check the roots again. Situations could change quickly. It could be sunburn. It could be rot. It would be cell collapse. It could be the orchid reaper...lol.haha..jp....As long as the roots are healthy and have tons of air flow it should pull through. Make sure the medium is completely dry between watering. You pretty much want to see the velamen(silvery coating) on the roots before you water. This is why i like clear pots. It may look dry but the center of the pot may still be holding water. Not to mention your medium looks to be degrading. You might want to plant it in a bark, perlite, and charcoal mix which many of us find to work best. well maybe others can chime in and predict the sometimes inevitable ....I myself am working with a sun burnt phal with only half of one leaf left....and somehow with misting(with ferts) it as soon as it gets dry and pulling it a little outa the mix for fresh air. Its finally growing something out the bottom eye...........................good luck stilwell

[CLStilwell99]

Ok, I just checked the roots and for the most part, they were all fat and healthy and green. I have a moisture meter, that I LOVE!! I have it in a bark, perlite, charcoal, and sphag mix. I DID find a few ants in the media...would those ruin my orchids? I saw some of them carrying the perlite. I cut off the top leaves that were bad....I don't know what else to do. Hopefully this little guy will get better =/