Question
I have a little moth orchid and I noticed that the bottom two leaves were turning yellow.  I thought that meant it wasn't getting enough sunlight and tried to rotate it so those leave would get more light.  Then one of the leaves fell off and now the other bottom leaf is about to do the same.  There doesn't look like there is fungus around the leaves and the plant otherwise seems to be doing okay.  Help!

Answer
Hello Teri,

While it is not unusual for a phalaenopsis orchid to lose one bottom leaf, it is of some concern when two fall off within a short time.  

Have you checked the area where the leaf was attached to the main trunk of the phal?  Is there a black sooty looking area there?  If so, that could be a fungus infection.  Fungus growth happens when there is water left on the leaf over night, for this reason it is best to do any watering in the morning rather than evening.  

Phalaenopsis leafs should be a medium to dark green color when grown under bright shade, too little light and they will be very dark green and too much light they may turn reddish or even get sunburned.  

Hope this has helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.