Staking them is the growers choice. The stake is called a spike. Needless to say in nature they are not staked. As far as the leaf goes when you water them do you make sure not to leave water in the crown of the plant? If you do it may be crown rot that caused your new leaf to yellow. When you do water check the growing medium that your "Phal" is in and make sure it really need water. Insert a wooden skewer of wooden pencil into it and check to see if it's wet. Check out the link I have posted for further information. Happy growing and don't panic. http://www.orchidaceae.com/techSheets/Phalaenopsis.pdf

Here is a link that might be useful: Phalaenopsis Culture

Thanks donaldb for the advice and the correct terminology ( I should have known that). I don't water from the top, I learnt my lesson doing that to a couple of favorite violets, which developed crown rot so I'm pretty careful about that. I'm pretty sure I'm overwatering.I was going by advice I got from a book, "water weekly, weakly", maybe it's been too much. I'll let it dry out a bit more before I water again, I really want to see these Phals bloom. I'll stop obsessing about them now, and just wait and see. Thanks again..Relli

Hi Relli, many of the plants you see at shows are staked, the choice is up to you. Maybe stake your plant if it has many large flowers...... the material most used is wire of appropriate thickness to achieve graceful arching of the spike.

Watering weekly, weakly is good advice, depending on what the orchid is planted in and the conditions it is in. Sometimes sphagnum moss can stay very wet, even though it looks dry on top. So can other types of mixes. So can mixes that are breaking down. Donaldb's advice about the skewer is a good one. Always check to see if the plant needs water before you water.