Looks like sunburn. Are you sure it gets no direct sun? Also, what media is it planted in and how are you watering it…and where are you located?

tj

Bring it indoors. I never put my orchids outdoors and wouldn't even consider doing so. I don't know where you live, but Phal orchids wouldn't be comfortable outdoors in a hot, dry atmosphere. It appears that leaf has another spot at the base. This is from sunburn; Phalaenopsis orchids should never receive any direct sunlight. They should be placed in bright, indirect light. Is this the original pot it was in when you bought it ? it should have been in a clear plastic pot inside a decorative pot, but I can't tell from your pictures . If it's in a clear pot, remove pot and all from the outside pot. Does it feel light ? Do the roots have a whitish color ? If so, water it with distilled water, letting the water drain out the bottom of the pot while hold it over a sink, etc. Be careful not to get water in the base of the leaves; if you do then gently soak it up with the corner of a paper towel. The healthy roots should turn green again after watering. Also the leaves look limp, and wrinkled from probable dehydration.Your orchid is sitting too far down in the pot. Put some rocks or something under the inside pot to raise it up for now.

I hope someone who knows more about orchids will give you more advice.

I live in Malta, it was doing ok in winter but its quite hot at the moment. I water it from the top down and currently it is in a mixture of wood bark and pete. Thanks for your comments I will try moving it inside since the sun is very bright even though it was indirect.

I take my phals outside every summer!! They are perfectly happy out there as long as they receive no direct sun. In fact, they are out there right now in 90+ degree weather with this bizarre heat wave we are experiencing here. As long as they get sufficient water - once a week is probably not frequently enough - they should be fine.

When i water it its like the water drains out and its not reabsorbed. I dont know if it makes sense im still a newbie :/ .

Use a small bucket and fill it to the soil line and let it sit for 15 minutes and then lift and drain.

tj

Sarah Zarb, I do the same. I tried the 15 minute soak method, but every orchid died. I must have done something wrong, but I don't know what. The pour and drain method is working for me, so far. I mix 1/4 teaspoon of orchid food in a gallon of distilled water, and catch the water that drains off. I always have to turn the plant to water all of the roots, so I re-use the same water.

why is there so little media in that small pot .. it doesnt even look half filled ...

which could mean.. a watering problem ...

think of media as a water management system ... first you have to have enough media for the size plant you have ... and then the proper media has to retain the proper amount of water for the given plant ... and then the system should drain away all excess proper to the plant ..

im just wonder if there isnt enough media there to start the process of proper watering ...

how much or how often you water the media might not matter if you dont have enough media ...otherwise even watering 3 times a day might not be enough to give the plant what water it needs ..

and of course.. high heat isnt helping.. and also without enough media.. maybe the roots are getting and staying too hot without the buffering effect of more media ...

there is also the usual night time cool off period when many plants can recover for the onslaught of the next day.. how hot does it stay at night in malta????

id probably protect it back in the house ... until the proper time for repotting.. which usually isnt when its flowering ...

ken

I will repot it when it finishes flowering. Just to make sure should I use wood bark alone? Also does it prefer a small pot because I heard the root like being compact?

I use all pine bark. Fir bark also works. Other folks use other mixes.

tj

You have to test for yourself because your growing conditions can be entirely different from any one member here. I personally use bark mixed the appropriate amounts of Sphagnum moss for every plant.