Personally, I'd decide if it's worth trying to salvage depending on what it
is -- something you really love, or just something green that you hate to
toss. Also consider the condition of the roots when you get it out of the
pot. If there is still a good root system, chances are good. If there's
not much healthy root left, not so good. Can you replace it for less than
you're going to spend trying to save it? If it's from one of those box
stores with the 1-year guaranty, you might just trade it in (some will let
you do this even without a receipt).

If you decide to save it, then pretty much what K said. Yes, cut both
spikes -- put the one with flowers remaining into a bud vase with water if
you want, it'll probably last longer than roses. Flowers suck energy from a
plant, and if it's already struggling, that's not good. Use clips and/or
stakes if you need to, to keep it from wobbling in the pot. And if it's
really precious to you, consider a fungicide dip while it's out of the old
pot, before it goes into the new. On the yellow leaf, unless it develops
soft black spots, I'd leave it to fall off on its own.

Good growing, Kenni

Unless the yellow leaf develops soft black spots, leave it to fall off by
itself.
"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
Shulamit wrote:
I have a phal with potting material that retains a great deal of
moisture and I unknowingly overwatered. It has two spikes, flowers on
one, none on the other. All buds have dropped (flowers have remained)
and one of its three leaves has turned yellow. What to do?

a) clip the yellow leaf? b) repot in dry medium and water in a week?
c) clip back the bare spike?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Shulamit

1) cut off both spikes to base of the spike.
2) repot in new medium, usually presoaked fir bark with perlite 3 parts
bark, 1 part #3 perlite (aka large perlite available at most garden
centers.) in a pot just large enough to hold the remaining healthy roots
3) make sure the plant is not wobbly in the pot.
4)Water in one week.
5) buy the book by Ortho (if you are in America) 'All a about growing
orchids'
6) wait until next year for blooms

K Barrett