Question

Orchid leaves   QUESTION: Hello Wayne,
Thank you for taking the time to read my question.  I'm fairly new to Orchids but had a couple donated to me so I thought I'd give it a shot, especially since they were going to throw them out.  They are both Phalaenopsis Orchids.  

All was going well, until I mistakingly put one on the floor near the balcony door, unfortunately by the time I'd realized the sun had moved and was directly on one of the leaves it was too late... It was sunburned.  I quickly moved it out of the way and ever since i've noticed its decline, think it's been around two weeks (ish)  The said leaf has turned a horrid color (dark brown/yellow), with tiny white dots on it's end and the whole leaf has a thin dark edge and it's floppy and lifeless (the one next to it is also slightly burned)  The strange thing is that the plant has six other really healthy looking leaves, a few of which have grown since i've had it.  

Today I noticed the tip of my cut stem turning orange/yellow - should I cut the whole stem away?  Please could you help, I'm not sure what to do... I've attached a close up of the bad leaf so you can see it in detail.  
I really appreciate your help.  

Many thanks

ANSWER: Ella, thanks for bringing this matter to my attention.  The overheated leaf will soon part company with the plant and fall off.  The damage on another leaf will be permanent but should be limited in scope.  You should remove the old flower spike.  Unrelated to the sun damage, you should consider repotting the plants in fresh orchid potting mix if you have not already done that.  This will allow you to assess root condition (mushy roots should be removed-- healthy roots are firm and turn green when wet).  The new orchid potting mix should contain fir bark and will need to be soaked before use.  By repotting, you give the plants a fresh start in generating new roots and, ultimately, new leaves.  Since  you have several healthy, unaffected leaves, your plants should do well. Please feel free to ask any followup questions if my comments need elaboration.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Many thanks for your help.  I haven't repotted it so will do that.  Does it have to be in another clear plastic container as it is in now?  I do have a terracotta pot with holes in - is that ok?  Also, I'm wondering how far down to cut the old flower spike?

Thanks again for your words of wisdom :)
Wish me luck!


Answer
Ella, it doesn't have to be in a clear plastic pot, but that type of a pot does have some advantages.  First, orchid roots are photosynthetic and contain chlorophyll, hence can use light which comes through the walls of a clear plastic pot.  More importantly, you can keep tabs on root growth better deep in the potting mix through the walls of a clear pot.

Cut the old flower spike off just above a node (ie joint).  Be aware that, depending upon parentage, an old flower spike mmay just naturally turn brown and diw back.  In this latter case, you can just remove the entire flower spike.  If the old flower spike remains green, by cutting it off just above a node, a branch may emerge from that node which could form buds and flowers.