Have been absent....but a phal question

[Cinderella]

Hi, Forum members. I have been absent for a while due to some health issues but I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.

I have a hybrid Phal that has been very healthy for me with abundant roots, has grown a few new leaves since I bought it at the local show in March. It has 2 inforescences, I think, I am pretty sure they are not keikis but these are the first I have grown myself so I am not positive.

The question is that one of the lower leaves is yellowing and will fall off eventually but it is not the lowest leaf. This has not happened to me before, I thought always the lowest leaf was the one to go in a healthy plant. It is, however, the smallest leaf and it looks like it grew under not optimal conditions because it is much smaller than the others.

??

[Jmoney]

Hope you're feeling better...

I wouldn't worry about it if it's just one leaf and the rest of the plant looks healthy. Usually the very bottom one falls off first, but that's not always the case and, if as you said, the leaf in question wasn't that great to begin with, that's as good as any for the plant to get rid of. I would just keep an eye on the other leaves to make sure there's nothing like a rot going on.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Cinderella! Welcome back!! I am sorry to hear you were not feeling well.

About your phal: That is normal with lower leaves on phals. Like you said, usually it is the lowest leaf that yellows and falls off, but if another leaf grew under stress, it is just as likely to go. Just keep an eye on the plant. As long as it is not droopy looking and the other leaves stay firm, it should be just fine.
I bet the two new spikes are just that, new spikes. Usually the keikis grow on a spike after it has reached some maturity. They begin with a leaf or two and then put out some roots.

Anyway, glad you are back and I hope you are feeling better!

Cheers!

BD