Why do Phalaenopsis leaves rot and go soft, and should they be cut off?

As everyone knows, the main reason so many people like Phalaenopsis is that they come in diverse varieties that cater to the needs of different people. The second reason is their auspicious meaning, usually with flower meanings such as good fortune and prosperity, great luck and great profit, and a bright future.

However, in terms of care, if conditions such as temperature, ventilation, and sunlight are improper, the plant can easily develop yellow leaves and rotten leaves to varying degrees. So, how do you make the right choice when you run into a situation like this?

Generally speaking, watering too frequently in daily care makes it easy for leaves to turn yellow. At this point, there is no need to rush to remove all the original sphagnum moss; first observe them for about a week, because as long as the situation improves, this yellowing can ease on its own. At this time, it is recommended to follow the "water only when dry, and water thoroughly when you do" method. Each time, you can touch the soil with your hand to check the situation before watering. After watering, check whether there is standing water in the saucer, and pour it out promptly if there is.

But if the leaves feel soft to the touch and even release water, and there are grayish-brown spots in the center of the whole leaf, then you need to be careful, as it may have "soft rot." If the diseased condition is left untreated for a long time, it will gradually rot and eventually turn into dry skin. In a situation like this, the simpler approach is to cut off just the diseased part of the leaf. If the disease is severe, it is also fine to cut off the entire rotten part directly from the base.

So, in terms of care, how do you prevent this most annoying fungal infection? In fact, the most fatal thing is to put the plant in a place that is stuffy, hot, and humid. Poor ventilation plus direct sun exposure after watering can also easily lead to "soft rot." It is recommended to move it to a cool, ventilated spot as much as possible. In addition, do not water too quickly; keep the soil slightly dry, otherwise the roots will be too wet.

In addition, you can also prepare some fungicides specially used to treat orchid diseases from a flower shop in advance, such as carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl. Dilute them with water according to the ratio on the instructions, then spray them on the leaves, so as to take preventive measures in advance. However, when spraying, be careful not to touch the petals, then pay attention to ventilation, check the Phalaenopsis regularly, and care for it well.