Hi all,

Happy New Year! (First visit of 2023.) I'd be very grateful for your advice...

I recently bought this gorgeous Phal at the supermarket. I noticed at the time that it had some marks along the midrib of one of its leaves but I assumed the damage was mechanical. I've noticed since that the yellow marks have grown in size (please see pictures 1&2) and I'm concerned it's a fungal infection. Moreover three more of the leaves have dry/yellow patches along the midrib as pictured (though not the newest leaf, which is looking healthy at the moment).

I wondered, is the plant rescuable (I hope so!) and, if so, how should I treat it? I've read online that one should remove all affected tissue and then apply cinnamon to the cut surfaces and spray the plant with hydrogen peroxide. The problem is, this would mean removing all but one of the leaves if I was to play it really safe. Would the plant survive that? Or is there a different/less drastic treatment method I should use?

Please note, the dark spots in the pictures are shadows cast by buds. The picture of the flower is only included to lift the spirits!

Thanks in advance for your help with this!

I still think it was probably mechanical damage, perhaps transport at/to the store. I could image the plant was tightly packed into a cellophane sleeve then.
If it were my plant, I would just enjoy the blooms and not worry about it. If the new leaves develop the same "fold", I would address it then.

Agree with Ursula, this isn't a fungal infection. Nothing you need to do, and the fact that it has a new leaf that is healthy is a salute to you that you're taking good care of the plant. Relax and enjoy it.

Once the blooms are finished then think about potting it into new medium, and a basket or well-vented pot. Don't cut off the bloom stem until it turns completely brown. It may branch and give you some more flowers, or even a keiki.

If you live somewhere with warm (not too hot!) summers you may consider letting it grow outside once the night temperatures are above 55deg. or so. A shady place hanging under a tree would be excellent. Btw, when you re-pot you should let your Phal hang over the edge of the pot so that the leaves drain well when you water it or it rains. Phals normally grow with their leaves hanging downwards, and the flowers naturally cascade downwards as well. This upright habit with stakes etc. is something the growers do so they can package them in boxes easier.

Ursula, Elaine - thanks so much for your advice and reassurance! The newest healthy leaf was already there when I bought the plant, so I can't take credit for it (!), but hopefully more will come