To answer your first question, no you cannot propagate a Phal (or any other
orchid I'm aware of) from a leaf.

Was it a top ,middle or bottom leaf that came off. It is not normal for an
upper leaf to come off unless the crown (where the leaves attach at the top)
has rotted. Let us know.

You can wiggle your finger down an inch and a half or so into most orchid
potting mixes. If it feels damp don't water.
If it feels mushy or smells swampy repot it. If you use sphagnum moss try
and find moss from New Zealand. If using a orchid mix many stores carry
orchid potting mix.

You can find care instructions on the American Orchid Society website:
orchid.org/aos/index.aspx

Bob



wrote in message
...
Hi, try not to move your orchid around very much-less likely to damage
it. Use sphagnum moss for the medium-you can stick your finger down
inside to see if it's damp at the bottom. I read in here where someone
used a sharpened pencil-it gets the end damp when inserted. Read up on
Phal. care (google it) for example don't let water stand in the bottom
tray, watch temperature fluctuations, and even run a fan-mine love
this.......Burr (as for the leaf-it's normal for phals. to loose
them--they'll usually turn yellow, hard to get off though, I usually let
them go a few days then if I can't get it loose I cut it off with a pair
of scissors)