Question
i am a hobbyist orchid grower and live in a tropical zone so in the summer i am lucky to be able to leave my plants outside, unless the weather is very bad.  i had gone away on buisness for a week and returned to find that one of my phalaenopsis had grown to the point where the head was pointing upward and catching water.  it hand rained every day the week i was away and the top leaf was yellowed.  the next day the top leaf fell out all together as it had rotted.  
i moved the plant into the shadehouse and treated the opening with fungiside and charcoal to try and limit further rot.  the plant previously was very healthy and over the last two weeks has started 2 flower spikes.  

is there anything else i should do? can the plant survive?

i have seen plants lose botom leaves but lever top ones.
many thanks.
Taran

Answer
Hello Taran,

Keep an eye on the phalaenopsis to see what happens.  If the fungus infection progresses down to the lower leaves, it may be too late to save it as it has spread into the main growth of the phal.  

To lessen the stress on the phal, I'd suggest cutting off the started spikes.  

Phals produce new leaves from the top or crown and once the crown is infected that usually means no new leaves and the orchid slowly dies.  

Sorry I could not be of more help but I hope the preventive measures you've already taken are enough to save it.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.