---
title: "Anyone know why the edges of a phalanopsis would turn yellow? The…"
description: "Anyone know why the edges of a phalanopsis would turn yellow? The three top most mature leaves are exhibiting this to some degree. I’ve had the plant for over…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ/_iEMJneiRAmCYqWVMCVcCw"
community: "The Orchid Oasis"
author: "MeasomerPi"
published: "2024-07-21T20:57:48.32989Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JLf1LdLd_hy8kN4fR58e7t9Oig2pM4DXxlM-d7xORAQ/Uc2GmXw9Touv-K-pgolvcA.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Orchid Oasis](https://getplanta.com/community/JmTUi1iSQr6-tX35luAMXQ.md)

# Anyone know why the edges of a phalanopsis would turn yellow? The…

_Posted by MeasomerPi on 2024-07-21_

Anyone know why the edges of a phalanopsis would turn yellow? The three top most mature leaves are exhibiting this to some degree. I’ve had the plant for over four years. Its never exhibited any signs of variegation. It’s been in this northwest window for approx 3 months. Repotted 18 months ago using a media that is mostly bark with a little sphagnum mixed in. Not currently blooming.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/JLf1LdLd_hy8kN4fR58e7t9Oig2pM4DXxlM-d7xORAQ/Uc2GmXw9Touv-K-pgolvcA.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### send\_nodes commented on 2024-07-22

Hmm if it was just 1 older leaf, I wouldn’t worry about it, but since it’s several leaves, it seems like there’s an issue going on. A couple possible causes would be over-watering or nutrient deficiency

#### MeasomerPi replied on 2024-07-22

Good ideas!

I try to be careful with my watering, but to be honest I have been a little lazy the past couple of months. The timing aligns a little too nicely so doubt it’s a coincidence.

I saw some sporadic postings online about magnesium deficiency but nothing authoritative. I’ll keep researching that track too.

Thanks so much 😁

### Lucky commented on 2024-07-22

Dark foliage might mean it’s not getting enough light, the yellow could be a symptom of that or uneven watering

### Jen commented on 2024-07-22

I was going to suggest a light issue, but if you’ve had it in the same spot for years, that would probably not be the problem. My second suggestion would be a slight lack of magnesium in some more sensitive hybrids.

#### MeasomerPi replied on 2024-07-22

Thanks! I was hoping you’d pop by.

I’m kinda leaning towards light too. While I’ve not been able to find anything definitive online, I’m am seeing several postings about the same issue. Most suggestions lean towards too much light.

It’s in a new spot. Moved from a shaded west window to an unshaded north window skewed west enough to get a kiss of evening sun. Nothing like home renovations to mess everything up. The phal in question hasn’t reddened, but the ones next to it have. It’s wild that they are doing it in a north window.

#### Jen replied on 2024-07-23

Lol. The slightest change makes for so much worry, seriously! It doesn’t look like it’s getting burned, and would probably acclimate just fine after a while, but why they gotta stress us out?!?

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_
