My orchid's leaves seem to be in distress...

[Irreplacable.Becky]

Hello everyone, this is my first post to the forum... I have always thought orchids were beautiful, and my boyfriend got me one for Valentines day... I have never had a "green thumb," but desperately want to successfully nurture this beautiful plant... I've done some searching and believe it to be a Phal... The picture with the blooms were taken the day I received it, with one leaf showing some white discoloration while the other leaves appeared healthy (to my inexperienced eye)... I have only had this plant 6 days, and in that time, the blooms have shriveled and fallen, with some transparent spots forming on the petals... Also, the white discoloration in the one leaf has spread, with some slight browning... the leaf is not firm like the others, but rather has become somewhat soft in the discolored area... The small leaf was green before, but is now a yellow/orange color, and the 3rd leaf has dark brown, dry edges on the underside... Please Help!!

[Halloamey]

Hi Becky ! The Phal has suffered from some cold shock. The leaves that have turned white, need to be cut back till you find healthy green tissue and then apply some antifungal powder.

[AtantaR]

oh boy...hmmmmm...im not sure about the leaves at all, but i do know your going to need new leaves soon. So i would take a pair of scissors and cut the flower spike off about an inch from where it attaches to the plant. This will help the plant direct its energy to new leaf growth...hmmm this plant will go through alot of stress with all these problem leaves...hoepfully it has a chance ....ill pray to the metal gods for you \m/

[Irreplacable.Becky]

Thank you both so much for your suggestions... Hallomey, I will cut back the leaf with the white discoloration, I've read some people use cinnamon as the antifungal when they make a cut, would that be suitable in this instance?.. Also, the leaf that is yellow/orange... Should that one remain? I am completely new to not only orchids, but plants as a whole... AtantaR, I have been reading about cutting back the flower spike, and was wondering if I should... Thank you for your advice... AND your prayers

[AtantaR]

lol ...yes cinnamon can be used. just make sure you dont spill any on the roots. Its not to good for roots. If there are no more flowers as you so say then i would cut the spike off. Heck an orchid in this condition, even if it had flowers I would still cut off the spike to save the plant . Now once thats said and done...look up some phalaenopsis culture, and repotting. Water and unkeep is your next challenge and it doesnt have to be tough either. let it dry out and then water and then dry out and then water.....make sure it dries enough so the center of the mix doesnt stay soggy, but make sure it doesnt stay totally dry for to long either...maybe water once or twice a week depending how fast the mix dries.. lol oh jesshhh ..just remember soggy mix kills, dry spells kill, and roots like air ....oh and welcome...

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Sounds like these folks covered the issue. I hope all goes well.

cheers,
BD

[Irreplacable.Becky]

Thank you again everyone... I have already been reading through the forum and decided I need to re-pot... the phal came in some moss... It seems to have a strong and healthy root system from what I can see... When I re-pot I'll discover if root-rot has shown up... I'm considering Miracle Grow Orchid Mix in a pot that has many holes in the sides... Any other suggestions?

[Abrielle107]

I tried the miracle grow and it was too much fertilizer for my phals- the tips of my leaves turned crispy and brown/black. Your phal needs fertilizer, but at about 1/4 strength- and occasionally (like once a month) needs flushed to remove fertilizer salts from the roots-- and the miracle grow is constantly releasing fertilizer-- I would buy plain old bark based medium and some fertilizer on the side. WELCOME to the forum of the happily addicted :0)

[Irreplacable.Becky]

O.k.... sweet... thank you for the advice... is fertilizer the same as orchid food...? or do I need both...? I am truly the beginner here... lol... and thank you much for the warm welcome!!