Question
QUESTION: After my flowers fell and the tip turned a little brown I cut the stem down so
that the plant might re-bloom. I've watered it once a week since then but now
the new tip, is turning yellow and a lower leaf is also turning yellow. Is this
something to worry about?

ANSWER: Hello Adam,

You didn't say what kind of orchid you have, but here are some things to consider. If the stem tip is turning yellow, that may not be anything to be worried about, it is just dying back.  But, if it is a new stem that is turning yellow, that could be due to some problem that needs your attention.  Problems such as possible injury to the tip, insect damage, fungus or bacterial infection, root loss due to rot, too much direct sunlight, sudden temperature changes, temperature too hot or too cold, inadequate humidity.  

Also, if it is only a lower leaf that is turning yellow, that may just be due to age and it is dying a natural death.  

Sorry I couldn't be of more help at this time.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.



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

QUESTION: Thanks Jim. It's a phal, and now another leave has turned yellow - also a
bottom leaf. I don't think it is sunlight because these leaves are actually
turned away from the sun, so the healthy leaves are getting more than these.
Also, the tip is continuing to turn yellow. I'd cut it just above a bud and it is
now dry and yellow past that bud and one other bud below it. Should I cut it
again where there is healthy tissue?

Answer
Hello Adam,

While it is not unusual for one bottom leaf to turn yellow and die, it is usual for another to do so in such a short time.  Phals. will lose one or two bottom leaves over the course of a year while also making 1, 2, or 3 new leafs during the year.  

Question: When you water it, do you water from above the pot?  Also, do you water it in the afternoon or evening?  

The reason I ask is because if you answered yes to both questions, it may be that some water is getting on the leaves and a fungus has grown on them.  At the base of the leafs, can you see a black sooty area?  If there is, it probably is fungus.  

Sorry to hear that the tip is still dying.  When you cut the top part off, go about an inch beyond the yellowing area, hopefully cutting some healthy tissue off will stop it from continuing.  If it continues to yellow, the best thing might be to cut the entire stem off and wait for next years blooms.  

Hope this helped.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.