Leaf problem - I have no idea

[cowgirl]

I recently bought a new NOID Phal that appeared to be in perfect health. I have had it for a couple of weeks and today I noticed that I have a leaf problem. It is only affecting one leaf at present and luckily I had quarantined the plant when I bought it. Does anyone have any ideas what has caused it. I am ready with sharp blade at hand ready to cut of the infected part.

I have also included a couple of pictures of the blooms which are more green than yellow

Caroline

[Ochin@]

does it get direct sun? it looks like it could be sunburn.

[cowgirl]

It has had no direct sun since I bought it

[elitebettas]

Get it tested at critter creek labs. Phals Out of Taiwan are notoious for viruses. Not saying it definately is but I would

[mehitabel]

IMO, a virus would affect the flowers, and also produces more exotic discolorations of the leaves.

My guess would be sunburn, too. Maybe happened before you got it, or on the way home? Also looks a little like it was scraped by something with a rasping mouth, grasshopper? If not sunburn, I would guess a fungus. I would spray with a fungicide. Bayer's or Safer's *3* n 1 contains a fungicide (2 n 1 doesn't). Not too available here now, tho.

Then see if the new leaves come in normal, if so, you've licked it.

[cowgirl]

Thanks for that - not too much in the way of sun here recently in England. I guess I will cut it out and see what happens. Plus I will spray with fungicide

[Phalcycle]

I wouldn't cut it if it isn't hurnting the plant.
Is it spreading?
It looks like sunburn, and that doesnt hurt the plantr, it just looks werid.
But that burned leaf is still giving the plant food, so dont cut if its not hurnting the lpant

[dounoharm]

i concur it looks like sunburn....dont cut it....

[NancyG]

sunburn or snails?

[orchidaddict789]

I had a phal that started growing yellow patches with brown near the center of the patches.



However, on your leaf, the discoloration is less spread out, so it could be sunburn or some sort of damage. Sometimes, secondary fungal infections can appear on the damaged tissue. Spray with fungicide, just in case.

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by orchidaddict789

I had a phal that started growing yellow patches with brown near the center of the patches.



However, on your leaf, the discoloration is less spread out, so it could be sunburn or some sort of damage. Sometimes, secondary fungal infections can appear on the damaged tissue. Spray with fungicide, just in case.

Oh oh ! Orchidaddict take a real close look at the pic of the leaf you posted I see a buch of little bugs they are very light colored and long and skinny makes me want to say thripts (spelling) but I don't know for sure. Look at your pic real close they are avery light almost transparent but are in little clusters.
Emmaye

[orchidaddict789]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Oh oh ! Orchidaddict take a real close look at the pic of the leaf you posted I see a buch of little bugs they are very light colored and long and skinny makes me want to say thripts (spelling) but I don't know for sure. Look at your pic real close they are avery light almost transparent but are in little clusters.
Emmaye

Oh sorry I forgot to mention--those are actually dead leaves from my asparagus fern (the phal is placed right below the fern lol). At first I thought the same--I was and thought I had some terrible bugs, but then I was relieved to see they were dead leaves...phew.

[cowgirl]

Is it normal in sunburn for the leaf to go mushy and lose its structure. The middle of the discoloured bit is slowly going black and now feels soft to the touch and not firm like the other leaves??

[Stitz]

Originally Posted by cowgirl

Is it normal in sunburn for the leaf to go mushy and lose its structure. The middle of the discoloured bit is slowly going black and now feels soft to the touch and not firm like the other leaves??

no, that is not the normal sequence. that doesn't mean that it doesn't happen.

anytime that you witness a discolored leaf "slowly going black and now feels soft to the touch", it's time to get out the scissors/scalpel/razor blades and excise the diseased portion, ASAP! make certain that your surgery allows plenty of space between the diseased and the remaining healthy portions of your leaf. Remember to discard your cutting tool or to sterilize it before another use!!

[mayres]

Yep - I concur - cut off the bad portion right away including about a half inch of good tissue and then dust the cut surface with cinnamon.

[FLBob]

Have you looked under the leaf. You may have a sucking insect feeding on the under side of the leaf.

If you don't see insects, then the problem is either fungal or bacterial. Soaking the entire plant in a solution of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water for 10 to 15 minutes, followed up by rinsing will stop most problems in their tracks.

[vcuchick]

Originally Posted by FLBob

Have you looked under the leaf. You may have a sucking insect feeding on the under side of the leaf.

If you don't see insects, then the problem is either fungal or bacterial. Soaking the entire plant in a solution of 1 part bleach and 4 parts water for 10 to 15 minutes, followed up by rinsing will stop most problems in their tracks.

Can the bleach soak be used on any plant? What about sphag or plants growing in agriflor?

[Phalcycle]

From yellow discoloration, now to black mush, I suspect it to be some kind of rot, as others have said.
Definaty cut off, as rotting will spread.
apply cinnamon, and hope for the best

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by vcuchick

Can the bleach soak be used on any plant? What about sphag or plants growing in agriflor?

I've use bleach without problems on Phals Catts, Vandas, and Dens.

Recently I had to soak my favorite Phal, Phal Little Gem Stripes, when I noticed rot. It stopped the problem.

You might find that light medium will float, but I'd rather deal with a little potting than have a plant succumb to rot.

The bleach will also sterilize the medium.