Ray,

Thank you for your advice. I have cut the spike and put it in a vase. I
happen to think that the plant is worth saving, or at least trying to.

When you say shady, how shady do you mean? My orchids already grow in low
light conditions, should I move this plant to a place away from any grow
lamp, but next to a northern window? Or should I put it in the bathroom that
has no windows (although I guess that would be very dark and not just very
shady)?

Humidity at this point is the least of my problems in the DC area. It's been
humid, and rainy and wet.

A month ago when this plant was repotted it had a good root system, but I
don't know how much difference a month could make in that.

How long should I keep this plant in a "very shady, warm, humid
environment"? How long should I not water it? You said "until it recovers".
How will I know that it has recovered sufficiently?

Thanks,
Joanna

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Joanna,

Assuming it's a plant worth keeping, I'd sacrifice the spike, stop
watering it, and keep it in a
very shady, warm, humid environment until it recovers.

The leaf-loss scenario sounds a lot like it is having trouble keeping up
the balance of energy input
versus output, but can also be related to a weak root system, so my
direction would be to go after
correcting both.

--

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

. . . . . . . . . . .
"J Fortuna" wrote in message
...
I have this Phal that is loosing its leaves at an alarming rate. The
leaves
turn yellow practically overnight, and this has happened to three of its
leaves over the course of about a month. It is growing one new leaf
right
now as well, so at least one of those leaves will be replaced, and it's
still got a total of 4 other healthy leaves in addition to the new one.

This is the history of this Phal: I bought it on April 24th of this
year.
Two weeks later the plant was experiencing some bud-blast, and I
discovered
one mealybug on it. I treated the leaves with a mixture of rubbing
alcohol +
dish soap + water. The plant was then repotted. During the repotting, I
saw
one more critter, that looked like a little worm or caterpiller of some
sort
in the root system. I killed that. The plant was treated with
horticultural
oil. I have not seen any pests since then. The Phal is still in bloom,
but
loosing some flowers, and it's loosing leaves. The leaves it is loosing
are
toward the bottom, so that seems right, but 3 leaves seems like a lot to
loose.

Should I cut off the spike? Should I take another look at the root
system --
to make sure that there are no bugs in the roots? It was repotted about
a
month ago, but it's really not doing well now. Please advise.

Thanks,
Joanna