Phal Leaf Cell Collapse ? ? HELP

[-k-]

I just checked this phal 2 days ago and today found this?

This is the newest leaf, the plant has lots of new root growth and is just starting to spike. It looks like really bad sunburn or cold burn
It does not receive any direct sun, but lots of bright light, maybe a bit too much lately with all the snow. This is the first phal that started my addiction, I don't want it leave me, HELP!!!


The cells have completely collapsed, its dry not mushy, i treated with some cinn, anyone have any thoughts? All other leaves are fine?

[Phalcycle]

It probually is leaf collaspe.
Phals are effected a lot when cold water or cold air is around.
I made the mistake of watering my plants with cold water from the sink, and it started turning brown and eventually led to leaf collaspe.
It looked a lot simualr to this photo.

Cold air can also affect. You mention bright light from snow, so I am guessing you probually have it on the window sill? Well check for any drafts there, there might be cracks that let the cold air in.


But it is nothing to worry about. It won't spread on the plant, and Just to be on the safe side, I too applied cinnamon on my leafs. It just looks unsightly, but won't harm and spread plants around it.

[kmarch]

I notice the dead tissue is white-ish and not black or dark brown. To me this suggests sun burn which would also be consistent with your bright light. Usually sun burn results from exposure to direct sun though. I'd give your phal a little less sun for the time being.

[Phalcycle]

Maybe the light reflecting off from the snow is the problem?
So as Kmarch sugested, move the phal away from that light exposure and see how it goes.

[-k-]

Thkx folks..
Always good to an extra pair of eyes on these things!

Moved the plant back away from the window until this snow melts...

Eeepp... there's a lesson learned!

[mehitabel]

I agree with everyone here that it is probably sunburn. Sunburn usually occurs at the place where the phal leave starts to curve (and hence is maximally exposed to sunlight). That's just where your damage is in Pictures 2 and 3.

The sun has been getting steadily brighter, and I've noticed that in my own south windows, the leaves are getting a little warm by midday now. That and the reflection off the snow could definitely have caused that damage.

Feel the leaves when the sun is on them, and if they feel quite warm, they are getting a little too much light. I have started running a fan across the leaves a couple of hours a day to cool them off. It's the leaves getting too warm that causes the burn, so with more air movement, phals can take higher light.

I agree with the others that a little less light is needed-- maybe move it a little further from the window, or provide some very light shade for it at the hottest time of day.

Getting the sun/shade right for all orchids to encourage blooms without burning is the knottiest problem I've found in orchid-growing. Takes some experimenting to figure it out. And BTW, I do get some sunburn every spring when I put my phals outdoors, so it's plain hard to get it just right.