Two leafs in two weeks turning yellow and falling off

[catanisiancestry]

I have a Phal orchid and tewo leaves have fallen off so fay after turning yellow. The plant is in indirect light?

Can someone tell me why this could happen?

[Vivienne]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. Can you post a pic of your plant?

Where are you located in the world? How often have you been watering? How long have you had the plant? I'm sure others will have other questions and I know someone will be able to assist you - it's a great bunch of people!

[prisana]

catanisiancestry, If the leaves that turned yellow and fallen off are the bottom most leaves, it's probably just age. This is a growing season for phals ,(among others) and they are losing older leaves and starting new ones..nothing to worry about. Keep your eyes out at the plant's crown, you may see little leaf emerging..

Or if you are able to post a pic, we might know what we are dealing with..

[janet_a]

yes, how quickly is this happening? if they're turning yellow and falling off overnight, it's a problem. if they're doing it over the course of weeks or months, it may just be the oldest leaves coming off and the plant adjusting to conditions. i have one phal that had a slightly yellowing bottom leaf when i bought it; it's still attached, though yellower, however many years later.

[PhalPal]

Catanisiancestry - I really think you are overwatering. Check out this link for a great suggestion on how to monitor your soil dampness. I would also take the plant out of the media and have a look at the roots. Too much black is not good; some is normal and will just be the natural dying off of old roots. Fat green roots are always good! Indirect light is what you want but it varies greatly on which direction the window faces (N, S, W, E), how far from the light the plant sits and what part of the world you are in. Get back to us and tell us what you see!

Cynthia's water skewer method- Skewer use for watering of orchids

[catanisiancestry]

Thanks everyone. This is my second orchid and I want it to be beautiful!

I have attached the picture of the yellow leaf, which is disconnected itself from the base. This is the third leaf that will be falling off in about 5 weeks.

I bought the plant in March of this year. It had big beautiful flowers and is a large plant. I had 6 leafs, down to 4 and soon 3. The other 3 leaves that will be left are very green. Its like one turns yellow, falls off, and then it happens all over again with another leaf. I am watering the plant once every 7-12 days depending on how the potting looks.

The yellow leaf is also getting wrinkly. What am I doing wrong?

Also, all the flowers have fallen off as of a few weeks ago. How do I cut the stem and when?

Thank you.

[mayres]

If it were mine I would check the roots right away. Squeeze the pot a bit to loosen the contents and then gently lift it out. See if all the roots you see are light and plump - if the roots are soft, mushy, stringy, etc. you need to clean up all this material right away and repot in fresh media. If the roots are fine you can put everything back the way you found it - no harm no foul. Make sure the bark is not old and needs replacing regardless - in this scenerio it would be soft and mushy as well. Good luck - mike