Why is the smallest leaf on my orchid turning yellow?

I have this orchid, i take good care of it. I water it every week, and i keep it in the right amount of sunlight. I don't know why, but the smallest leaf on the orchid is turning yellow. It started on one side of the leaf a few days ago, but now the whole thing is yellow! i know that one of the things that can make them turn yellow is that they have too much sunlight, but it is not in direct sunlight, and the other three leaves on this orchid are still a nice green color. All of the flowers are bloomed and are fully out, could this have something to do with it? I came home today and the first flower closest to the dirt on the shoot is withering. Is this yellow leaf thing just a part of my orchid's cycle? what can i do? It's one of those philanthropis orchids, or however you spell it. Thanky!

Why is the smallest leaf on my orchid turning yellow?
Nothing to be concerned about. Older leaves will eventually dry up. Same with the bloom.





We have several hundred phalaenopsis plants - growing them for 25+ years.





I beg to differ with abono. Ours are ALL in plastic pots and we take care to bury ALL roots at repotting time.





See source for more info and pictures of some of our phals.
Reply:Phalaenopsis orchids lose the older leaves at the base of the plant as new leaves grow. If your leaf is at the base, it's probably just age related. As long as the leaves coming from the centre of the plant stay green and healthy everything should be ok. If the plant was rotting, the leaves would be mushy and go dark brown or black.
Reply:ferts. try a small amount
Reply:If your orchid is a phaenopsis you've got one of the easiest orchids to grow. Phaenopsis doesn't need any more care than your average house plant.





Most people freak out when the plant starts sending out roots over the sides of the pot. The first thing many people do is to re-pot the plant and bury the exposed roots. If this is what you did that's the reason your leaves are turning yellow. In time the plant will die if you don't replant the phal with roots exposed. Another reason for dieing leaves is over watering.





Watering should be done two or three times a week at the most (if the plant is inside, and away from the heat (radiators, or too close to a window.) Phals, like most orchids, like bright light, not direct sun. Also, plastic pots are the kiss of death for orchids.





Plastic pots do not breath. They don't allow the transference of moisture to escape the root area.





Oh, one other thing, If you got your orchid with moss around the plant to make it look pretty - get rid of it. The moss is not letting moisture escape, and therefore rotting the roots.

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