Is This A Problem - yellowing of the top leaves of phal?

[eaglssong]

Since I seem to see and find new stuff every day, I don't know if this was there, or if it's something I need to be concerned about..

Today I noticed a slight yellowing of the top leaves (only one) on my Phal. Not sure if it is something new, or just something I didn't notice until now. Do I need to worry? Do I need to make any changes to environment? Is it nothing at all?



This baby is in front of an east facing window, with sheer curtains between it and the window. Gets a bit of early morning sun (filtered thru the curtains), but mostly just nice, bright light.

I'd rather get a jump on problems, than let them get to the point where they become unmanageable.

[Cjcorner]

Try rubbing a clean white paper towel underneath the leaf and see if it comes away a yellowish or pinkish color. There are these little bugs that can get up under the leaf and you will begin to notice little yellow dots where they have pierced the leaf to suck out the nutrients inside. Over time it will kill the plant. Either get some insecticide soap or a good all around treatment. I found a mix at a big box store; it comes in refills along with the smaller aqua/blue bottle and works or 2-3 months at a time for me. It is a 3 way spray, it kills fungus, mites etc. If I treat on a regular schedule I no longer have such an overwhelming problem with the soft scale, mites, and rot. There is also a spray you can mix from water, alcohol and oil of peppermint. You use a couple tablespoons of rubbing alcohol to a spray bottle of water and a few drops of oil of peppermint. The last is for a pleasant scent really, not necessary, but it's lovely to smell and can be purchased at any grocery store in the baking aisle.
Good Luck

[eaglssong]

Thanks Connie. I just tried the paper towel and it came away as white as when I started.

I'm thinking that it can't hurt to use the homemade remedy as a precautionary thing? Do you just spray the foliage? Or do you spray the medium too?

[JoeW]

Hi, Anne. Treating the top medium will help to exterminate pests too. Normal watering will move it through the potting medium. Also, as a side note, I have read that Phal leaf cells can absorb too much water and blister causing blemishes on a leaf.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Thanks Connie. I just tried the paper towel and it came away as white as when I started.

I'm thinking that it can't hurt to use the homemade remedy as a precautionary thing? Do you just spray the foliage? Or do you spray the medium too?

Spray the plant and medium. Let it soak through.

Hi, Anne. Treating the top medium will help to exterminate pests too. Normal watering will move it through the potting medium. Also, as a side note, I have read that Phal leaf cells can absorb too much water and blister causing blemishes on a leaf.

Very true!

Cheers,
BD