Question
Hello, I am new to the orchid world, something im sure many start their questions off with - but I am very interested in saving my first orchid ! a phalaenopsis. the first problem that I noticed is that the plant was given to me without the top.. by that I mean that there are 4 bloomed flowers, but none that are unbloomed.. it looks like someone cut off the tip.. IS THIS GOING TO CAUSE THE ORCHID TO DIE ??  Secondly, the leaves are continuously getting worse..I have done research, but the leaves seem to have a variety of problems. One of the top leaves has many black circular spots towards the end and some brown patches, the other top leaf is turning yellow and brown. Both leaves though look very healthy and firm towards the center.. it takes a turn for the worse from the middle of the leaf to the end. The under leaves seem better, some small yellowish spots around the edges and one has some yellow near the base. I have not watered it in a while to see if it stops taking a turn for the worse, but continues to.. the flowers seem fine so far, and the stalk is firm and green.. I have air circulation in the room and it recieves filtered light in the morning through the afternoon. . . if whats wrong is light damage from before I got the plant.. (no more than two weeks ago) I have swabbed off the leaves with a cotton ball and Qtip..  HOW CAN I REVIVE THE ORCHID ??  I am willing to do what it needs, I am not lazy.. just dont know what to do.

PLEASE HELP !

any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time


Brody

Answer
Hello Brody,

From your description of the problems with your phalaenopsis orchid, it sounds like most of it is being caused by a fungus.  I'm afraid that once the fungus infects a leaf, there is not much you can do other than cut off the affected part of the leaf.  Unfortunately with yours, there will not be much left afterwards.  

How does fungus get started?  Usually it is due to water having been left on the leaf over night which can be a prime breeding environment for fungus spores to grow.  If you do cut off parts of a leaf, be sure to treat the cut with a little powdered cinnamon as it is also a mild fungicide too.  

Brown patches (sunburn) on the top of a leaf is usually caused by too much direct sunlight.  This may have happened before you bought it a couple of weeks ago.  

With all the problems it has, it may be easier and better to replace it with a healthy phalaenopsis.  

Hope this is of some help.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.