I noticed one of the leaves on my one orchid is dying but not just turning yellow like they sometimes do. On one of the other leaves I noticed this small spot that has been there for some time but seems to be growing slowly and is getting more translucent. Finally, when I brought them into the kitchen to be watered I noticed several small wet spots on several of the leaves on this plant as well as the orchid that sits on the shelf next to this one, so now I'm concerned that I have an infestation or disease going around and I'm not sure what to do to fix it.

Please help!

From what I see, these are Phalaenopsis orchids. That leaf is dying back due to a watering issue. Things are not drying out like they should!
From your image I can see at least 2 layers of pot. There maybe even be a pot within a pot, within your pretty glazed pot. This is too many layers! When you water, these extra layers keep the roots from drying properly. Normally Phalaenopsis have leaves go yellow do to senility/old age. When they brown from the edge like this, it is from improper watering.
Phalaenopsis should be watered well and approach dryness, then watered again. In a 6" pot, they should be watered every five or six days.
Make sure when you water, the leaves dry off before nightfall. Do you mist the leaves? That is another no-no.
Welcome to the NGA site and I direct you to the Orchid Forums where we have several orchid threads on growing Phalaenopsis. Plus there are "stickies" such as one on Growing Supermarket Orchids-Phalaenopsis. These are just full of great information on growing these orchids. Hang out, post, read and join our happy little group.
BUT if that plant was mine, I would repot it in fresh media. Use a pot that comfortably holds the roots without extra space. Phalaenopsis love to be repotted every year, 2 at the most. They respond by growing new roots within 4-6 weeks. They like a bright spot, no direct sun! Temperatures should be between 60-85.
Keep it in a single pot. I know they might be ugly but it is better health wise. When they bloom, then display it in a pretty pot temporarily. But growing it inside a pot, in a pot, in a pot is BAD!!

Hi! It would help to see the whole Orchid to determine its status. I wouldn't worry about it shedding an older leaf, as long as the plant shows new growth and looks otherwise fine.
About that spot - Orchids do have "blemishes", perhaps there was a drop of water on the leaf and a spot of sun acted like a magnifying glass? Perhaps it is kept too wet? Again, it helps to see the whole plant.
Perhaps we see you on the Orchid forum, where we have tons of information and a special thread dedicated to Phalaenopsis.
The thread "🗣 Starting out with Phals/Supermarket Orchids 🛎 ✍️" in Orchids forum

Bill, we overlapped!🙂

I won't tell Ursula if you don't!

Thank you both for your quick responses!! Bill, you suggested removing the orchid from pot on pot on pot, so I took the outer pot off and took a pic of the inside pots. The inner one is an aeration pot (if I remember correctly) and both have drainage - are these okay to have together? Image below

Ursula, you asked for pics of the rest of the plant for you.

Thank you both again!

Caroline, I would not want to grow a phalaenopsis tipped over like that at 90 from vertical. That is just begging for the roots to grow out into the air. This causes rapid drying and water loss.
You should grow it in a vertical position.
Have you read through those stickies and threads in the Orchid Forums? They would help tremendously!
I would use a traditional plastic pot like maybe a 5" pot with several drainage holes. The plastic net pot , the black thing, is not really a good idea because it allows for rapid drying as well. Phalaenopsis like to be watered well then approach dryness, and get watered well again. Planting it in a net pot on its side will promote TOO much drying!!
Then in a conventional plastic pot you can use that media and back fill around the roots. You do not want to pot too loosely, nor do you really want to CRAM the media in there too hard. It is a balance between the two extremes.
A lot of Phalaenopsis growers grow them this way and while they are in bloom they display them say on a coffee table. They slide that pot right into a ceramic pot to go for the "pretty factor". And when it is done blooming they remove the ceramic pot and grow the orchid as before.


Look at my image, green plastic pot, 5". Plant blooms and I stake the bloom spike for support. Roots grow down into the media to retain moisture.

BigBill said:Caroline, I would not want to grow a phalaenopsis tipped over like that at 90 from vertical. That is just begging for the roots to grow out into the air. This causes rapid drying and water loss.
You should grow it in a vertical position.
Have you read through those stickies and threads in the Orchid Forums? They would help tremendously!
I would use a traditional plastic pot like maybe a 5" pot with several drainage holes. The plastic net pot , the black thing, is not really a good idea because it allows for rapid drying as well. Phalaenopsis like to be watered well then approach dryness, and get watered well again. Planting it in a net pot on its side will promote TOO much drying!!
Then in a conventional plastic pot you can use that media and back fill around the roots. You do not want to pot too loosely, nor do you really want to CRAM the media in there too hard. It is a balance between the two extremes.
A lot of Phalaenopsis growers grow them this way and while they are in bloom they display them say on a coffee table. They slide that pot right into a ceramic pot to go for the "pretty factor". And when it is done blooming they remove the ceramic pot and grow the orchid as before.


Look at my image, green plastic pot, 5". Plant blooms and I stake the bloom spike for support. Roots grow down into the media to retain moisture.

Beautiful orchid there, @BigBill

Thanks.