Dying Phal

[HHLL38]

Alright, I've got a Phal and the leaves are turning yellow and dying, however, the roots and spike are all still going full tilt.

These are the last two leaves on the plant and I can't figure out why it's doing what it's doing.

Any ideas?

[kiwiorchids]

Maybe it has a stem rot, it can leave the spike and roots unaffected, but can decimate the rest of the plant. Is the stem all mushy or soft?

[HHLL38]

Nope, the stem appears to be fine.

Is it focusing too much on roots and spike development?

It's been a rescue project of mine and the roots and spike have really taken off, but the leaf started very slowly turning yellow for almost a week plus now.

Should I cut the spike back and hope it turns it's attention to it's leaves?

[otis226]

I hate it when that happens. I've had a little Dtps Queen Beer 'Red Sky' that was making a wonderful recovery with new roots and a new leaf, and then it just went downhill quickly. I've mounted it in a last ditch effort to save it, as I can't locate another one!
Good luck with your save,
Tony

[HHLL38]

Thanks, keep your fingers crossed!

[Kmac]

Should I cut the spike back and hope it turns it's attention to it's leaves?

Of course, once leaves start turning yellow, they normally won't green up again, but cutting the spike may encourage it to put more energy into new leaves...so, yes, I would try that. Good luck!

[HHLL38]

Alright, I cut the spike, checked the pot contents, realized I had too much sphag in the bottom, split up the sphag between the top and bottom (as i've come to understand that more moisture fosters root growth). I have another Phal that has very much enjoyed a little sphag on the top and the air roots have grown around it. Very ying and yang. Might try sculpting this one as well once it has recovered, hopefully this works! thanks for the help.

[zainal abidin]

Hi Sam just remove small amount of spag. moss then put inside the basket as I put in it usually it will work for me since your plant is not doing quite well it will take time to recover.

[HHLL38]

Just a quick update, since I've posted this, there hasn't really been any discernible growth, but it also hasn't given up it's last leaf, so I'm writing this off as a success!

Hopefully a few months from now i'll have another leaf.

It looks kind of silly on my grow table, two phals both blooming and healthy, a phrag and a paph both blooming and healthy and a last ditch attempt to save a Brassavola mounted, but very green and healthy and then this. One lonely sad looking leaf in a pot.

[mysbhvn]

yeah but think how great you're going to feel that you didn't give up on it and saved it