Question
Ok, my orchid just had a wonderful spike,it had 8 flowers bloom.  They lasted about a month or so.  I picked off the flowers as they wilted.(The branch turned red and dry). Now, here is the thing, i did accidentally water it one night and found out I wasn't suppose to. I have 3 leaves on there now, and a new one growing. But the ONE on the bottom is suffering from the fungus.  What should i do? Can i cut the leaf of to help from further infection? please let me know!! thank you so much!

Answer
Hello Linsey,

You didn't mention what kind of orchid you have but I am assuming that it is a phalaenopsis orchid, hope I'm correct.  

If the bottom leaf has a black sooty substance on it, it probably is a fungus.  See if you can remove some or all of it with a soft rag or paper towel.  If you can, afterwards sprinkle some powdered cinnamon on the area.  Cinnamon has some mild anti-fungal properties to it.  

If the leaf continues to suffer, it will eventually fall off on its own.  You can cut the infected leaf off if you wish then treat the area as suggested above.  Check the other leaves to make sure they are not infected also.  

The best time to water just about all orchids is in the morning so any water splashed onto the leaves has time to evaporate before nightfall.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.