Question
Help! I got a phal from a friend planted in coconut and rocks -- shortly after arriving to my home the leaves started to turn yellow and eventually drop off. I am afraid it has an orchid virus and have isolated it- outside. I live in Rancho Palos Verdes- the weather is warm during the day and some fog at night- 50's.
then I noticed another orchid, new to me, it appears to be mini cattleya, developed a yellow spot on two of its leaves-- it has not grown.
I have a larger phal in bloom that has developed what appears to be a "rash" a circular area that is gotten a little bumpy.  When I looked under the leaves they seem to be getting a wee bit spotted (they have small circular areas that seem lighter). Does it have a fungus infection?  I bought an omcidium that came with black spots and did not know to separate it from the rest.
I can send pictures if necessary.
In addition, there is one I have potted in New Zealand moss that has developed white roots- this is a phal.

Please help, I do not want these to die. I have been looking into getting a small green house to keep my orhids outside.

Thank you,
Sabrina

Answer
Hello Sabrina,

Wow, you seem to be having quite a few problems with your orchids.  Hope I can help you with them all.  

Phal leaves suddenly turning yellow and falling off could be due to a fungus.  When you watered it, did you just pour the water over the top of the pot and possibly the leaves?  If you did, it probably caused a fungus to grow and infect the phal.  Sorry to say there may not be much hope to save it once infected.  Also, phals are best grown indoors and kept above 60 F.  

A rash on the leaf with lighter spots on the underside could be due to a bacterial infection.  Unfortunately, like the first phal, there is not much that can be done to save it.  

Tiny black spots on an oncidium leaf is not unusual, they are prone to spotting.  

Phal roots are normally light grey and when the roots are actively growing will have a small green tip.  

Having a greenhouse would make caring for your orchids a little easier but unless you can heat it in winter I would not put any phals inside it.  Cattleya and oncidiums can withstand temperatures down into the 50's with little or no problem.  

Sorry I could not be of more help but hope I helped a little.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.