Hello All,

I'm new here and looking for some support with my:

Paph. Johanna Burkhardt 'Black Diamond' x Paph. rothsuhildianum 'New Balance'

I picked this up from a reputable vendor in my town two weeks ago. It was a healthy looking plant and flowering, although the flowers seemed to be toward the end of their cycle. Approx. five days ago it had a sudden onset of yellowing leaves with accompanying brown spots (see photo). Two of four leaves quickly turned and I believe a third is on its way. When I purchased the orchid all leaves appeared a clean true green.

For watering, I've kept it moist but not saturated. For light, it's been on a shelf with good all day light, but no direct sunlight at all. For temp, I'm in central california, so moderate through the day (70's) and cooler in the night (60's).

I'm wondering if this is fungal? I've never had an orchid take a turn this fast.

Thank you kindly,

Nick

Nleven, hi!

I am looking at the new growth, the center leaves are brown. That looks to me like they were perhaps drowned? The plant seems not to have been repotted in a while, looking at the moss, not helpful in this case. I am wondering if your watering habits were simply totally different from the grower and the plant was kept too wet? I would think the plant looks like it is a goner, since the center is dead. Unless there is a baby plant growing on the other side?

Thanks Ursula!

It's possible on the watering habits. I haven't watered the plant much in the two weeks I've had it-- just made sure the medium was moist. The center leaves were reddish when I purchased the orchid. I didn't think much of it as I am unfamiliar with this species. No baby plant growing...

Nick

Btw your Paph has a name, if you like to look here
https://apps.rhs.org.uk/hortic...

Paph Hilo Black Eagle

Is it possible that you might be able to show your plant to the grower, or at least talk to them? It just doesn't seem to make sense that it should go downhill that quickly.

I should add - you sound like you are not a newcomer to Orchids! But, I think this one got to hurt. Still, not to be discouraged!
I would make a suggestion for the next time - ( something I learned the hard way buying Neofinetia falcata wrapped the traditional way in Sphagnum, only to find dead roots. ) If the new plant looks like sitting in older medium, let the vendor slip it out of the pot and let you see the roots. Nice vendors have no problem with that. Or repot right away at home and tell the vendor if the roots were "compromised".

Great advice, thank you! So...took the orchid back and they refunded the purchase without hesitation. The roots were indeed very poor looking when they pulled it from the pot at the store and acknowledged it must not have been doing well given the acute onset. I will have to be on the lookout for another Black Eagle!

Woohoo! Now that is wonderful!