Suza, I do not know but that is what has happened to some mini Phals I purchased from non orchid nurseries so they came in spag. They looked fine and then they died.

I put it down to unsuitable conditions prior to purchase because some of my Phals have survived and bloomed for ages in this room.

Had a much better experience with Phals purchased from orchid nurseries.

Though this is the sub tropics Phals do not like outside.

As for the spag thing, I think you can grow almost anything in it provided you adapt pot size, drainage and watering period to match the medium.

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its called crown rot and it is the reason why watering phals can be tricky. If crown retains water and air movement is lacking, this can happen and quickly spread and kill plant... bummer

Yes that is rot...it spreads very quickly. I have phals in different spots and different potting mediums and it happens. It is caused by a fungus. Discard the infected leaves immediatly and spray the other orchids near it with a fungicide. If the plant has any healthy leaves i will usually will cut the bad parts off ,spray the cut with a fungicide and i also sprinkle cinnamon (which is a natural antifungal). Keep it away from the other orchids and keep eye on it. It spreads so fast that yes in 2 days it can kill the plant. I see it happen more frequently when it gets really humid in Florida.

It went directly in the trash, as there was nothing left to save.

Amazing. I've never seen anything like it. I have a phal that had crown rot, lost 2 top leaves and grew a basal keiki. It never looked like that and still looks exactly as it did a year ago (or maybe even more) when it lost the 2 leaves, but is still hanging on to the two that are left. How bizarre!

Suza, I totally agree with you, I don't think its crown rot either.

It almost looks like the plant was frozen or overheated. Crown rot doesn't appear like this, certainly not in two days.

I have no idea, but I really do not think it was crown rot.

Jane

it is a bacterial infection infection, and it spreads at lightning speed.

St Augustine OS has some good info on the subject

http://staugorchidsociety.org/culturepests-diseases.htm

My mistake. It is bacterial. But either way the cinnamon is also a natural bactericide has helped halt it from spreading.

Bacteria infection seems much more plausible!

Arthrum. My mini phals always died too until my most recent one. I decided to repot immediately after the last flower fell off. It's doing so well now.

somehow water got in the crown:(

Looking at it, I'd think as Jane said: it froze while you were away. But clearly that's not possible since all the others are fine! I saw another person on this forum who had something that looked very similar happen, seemingly overnight. That's just not how crown rot takes a plant. Some sort of mystery infection. I'm glad nothing else was affected!