Phal issues

[Harpspiel]

I've successfully grown dendrobiums, oncidiums, various brassia and cattleya hybrids, but every single phal I've ever bought has died on me. My current project is a violacea. I ordered it (not thinking of the cold during shipping) and it came with four already pitted leaves. Three of them promptly fell off. The one that is left is limp, pitted and blackening, and I just hope this isn't a virus. The bottom of the leaf is smooth and healthy looking.

Also, the roots are green but a bit moldy. I sprayed them with diluted physan before repotting.

Is it possible it was suffering from the cold? Is there any remedial action I can take? I have attached a picture of the remaining leaf.

The orchid also has a tiny offshoot coming from the base, but the tip of that is now blackened.

EDIT: I've just cut off the two blackened areas with scissors I dipped in physan, in case of infection. I'll update if condition worsens/improves.

[norris]

I'm sorry, I don't really know what is wrong with your plant. It looks to be in bad shape though If it does turn out to be cold damage, maybe you can get the grower to send you a replacement.

[digitalgate]

You have chemically burn the leaves. Mold is growing on the black part. Cut 1 inch away from the black area and leave lower half of the leaf to grow. It would also make sense to change your way of treating the plant. Like don't mist the leave. water the root only.

I am worry that it also look like mite damage .but if you spray summer oil now the fungus would take over and kill the plant even faster.

I would buy a new plant.

[Tarad]

I would promptly get a hold of the shipper and ask for a replacement looks like the plant was sick when you received it. I would keep it away from you other plants until you figure out what is wrong with it. I order phals all the time and the cold really doesn't hurt them if the shipper has them wrapped up good and heat packs are included in the box. Are you buying phals from the same place being that you said you cant keep them alive? Tara

[mayres]

I third the recommendation - contact the supplier and tell them you basically received a "dead" orchid - looks like cold damage in transit.

[Harpspiel]

The supplier only takes returns a week after the shipment was received, and I'm now at about 9 days. Are there any other things I can try to keep this plant alive?

And no, I've never ordered from this person before (and probably never will again). Most of my phals have been Home Depot rescue attempts, and have finished blooming and then died.

[Tarad]

I would still talk to the shipper reputation means a lot. Tell them how it arrived and hope they work with you. How did it arrive?Bare root? In pot? Heat packs? There is a problem if there were no heat packs in there shipping to Indiana. Tara

[Tarad]

PS Phals are a great joy if this does not work out for you we can point you toward reputable shippers and when it arrives can help you enjoy your phal Tara

[mayres]

Oh my.....you need to get a nice healthy plant and share your experience with the group here. Phals are one of the easiest genera to grow and most of us have all done the things that cause problems and have learned our lessons.......well.......still learning..... Welcome by the way! Nice to see you and hope to hear about your orchids in the future.

[tizzycat]

I agree with everything that has already been said, but that pitting on the leaves could be caused be some sort of mite, but the black area could be cold damage as Mike says.

I would definitely contact the supplier, and e-mail him a copy of that picture it's obvious that this problem hasn't occured in the last few days, and therefore had to be present when you received it.

Good Luck - Oh, and welcome.

[digitalgate]

agree agree. If you can get a new plant that would be wonderful.