By the description, it sounds like it might be a doritaenopsis, a hybrid
between phalaenopsis and doritis. Treat it the same as a phal, maybe a bit
brighter.

Sounds like maybe the leaf was bitten by an insect and sustained sufficient
bacterial damage to die. It's a close to crown rot as you're going to get
without water, so you should treat it similarly. To be safe and to keep it
dry, I would sprinkle that crown cavity with cinnamon. Then, as the plant
is not showing further problems, treat it normally. It will probably sprout
basal growths in due time.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Susan Murray" wrote in message
om...
I have an unidentified orchid, which looks like a mini phal with deep
purple flowers. It is in a clear plastic pot (6" high 4" wide) and I
bought it while it was blooming two months ago. It's still blooming
and making new flowers (they just keep coming, I'm so happy. The roots
and green and free from rot, the leaves and thick, stiff, and more
like those of a phaph than a phal. It was $10 so I bought it even
though I still don't know what it is.

We'll soon after I bought it I noticed a new leaf coming up in the
crown (I think the leaf was there when I bought it, though) After two
months it had not grown any and looked a bit dark purple so I poked it
lightly to see if it was limp.

It WAS limp and it fell off (it was only 1/4th of an inch long, and
the other leaves are 4-6"

I'm so scared it has crown rot! I have been careful about not getting
water in the crown-but oh, no. what do I do?

I looked in the space where the leaf fell off and it seems OK (not
black or soft) is my plant OK or do I need to do something?

HELP!

PS, how long can one spike flower? I amazed. the spike just gets
longer and longer with more expanding buds and flowers. It's been
months! The only thing is the new flowers are not a deep of a purple
as the first ones, do I need more light? Hmmm... I love orchids.

-Susan

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http://futurebird.diaryland.com