Question
Over the winter, I put my phal on the windowsill and it did fine. With the weather clearing up and becoming very hot and very sunny, I've noticed that the biggest leaf, I think, is burned. Its the bottom leaf, very yellow and almost purple towards the end in a spotty way. The smallest leaf is yellow and the middle leaf has only yellow on the edge and a purple-burnt-like tip. I quickly put it on my desk under a desk light. However, its suddenly had a spike shoot out and its growing rather quickly.
I had acquired the plant when it didn't have a spike... so I'm just wondering if having a 20 watt halogen desk light 13 inches away from the leaf is okay for the new spike? Should I return the plant to the window? Should I use a different light source?

Thanks.

Answer
I recommend that phalaenopsis be grown in an east window where they get the morning sun.  Halogen lamps can generate enough heat to cause leaf burn.  Also, before the flower spike gets too far along, I would unpot the plant and check the root system by removing the old potting mix (If you have not had it repotted).  Remove the old mix and any "mushy" roots which are dead and repot in fresh orchid potting mix.  Phalaenopsis orchids can benefit from an annual repotting.