Question
I am new to orchids (9ms or so) and seem to be having relatively good luck.  I have just figured out that I might be over watering.  But my question is the new leaves on my phalaenopsis have deformed tips.  What could be the cause of that?

Answer
Hello Theresa,

That's great to hear about your doing well with orchids.  Many people over water their orchids at the beginning because they treat orchids just like houseplants.  With phals., the potting mix should be allowed to become barely moist between waterings.  

Deformed leaf tips could be caused by inadequate humidity.  Phalaenopsis prefer humidity above 50%.  Another possibility would be an insect infestation, have you checked the underside of the leafs?  If there are white puffy spots they are probably mealybugs.  If there are white or brown domed spots they are probably scale.  Either one of these insects can cause a slow death to your orchid so they need to be gotten rid of soon.  

The best remedy for insects is treating the phal. with a systemic insecticide or one that works from within the plant, when the insect takes a bite it gets poisoned and dies.  Check with your local garden center for their product recommendation, but be sure to tell them it is for orchids.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck.

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.