Question
I have a Phalaenopsis orchid that bloomed last year for almost 5 months.  I cut the spike back and after about 4 months it has revitalized and has grown 4 new leaves, each about 8-10 inches long.  Two of these leaves have split down the middle, from the tip almost halfway to the base.  Should I trim the leaves back to eliminate the split or leave them as is.  Thank you in advance for your help with this.

Answer
Hello Bob,

The good news is that your phalaenopsis orchid has grown some new leaves.  Are they about the same length as the older leaves?  New leaves should grow to be as long or longer than the older leaves, that indicates that it is being grown well.  If the new leaves end up being shorter then that might indicate a problem that needs your attention.  

The normal cause for leaves splitting as yours are is low humidity or the potting mix being allowed to become too dry between waterings.  Both of these conditions take months to show their affects.  

My suggestion is to leave them alone, they are probably healthy even if they don't look very nice.  The primary reason for leaving them alone is because phals. use their leaves to store water and food to help sustain it, cutting off a leaf or leaves can deprive it of this.  This is not to say that removing them will kill the phal, only that it will not have a reserve source of sustinance.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.