Phalaenopsis spp.
Quick answer
Leaf drop on your moth orchid has a few possible causes, and on this plant the likeliest is normal loss of the oldest leaf.
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How to tell
A moth orchid keeps only a few leaves. Losing the single oldest, lowest leaf every year or so, while new leaves grow from the top, is normal.
The fix
Nothing is wrong. Let it yellow and fall on its own. Worry only if several leaves drop at once or the newest leaves go limp.
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How to tell
It started dropping leaves soon after you bought, moved, or repotted it.
The fix
Pick a suitable spot, keep care steady, don’t fertilize, and let it adjust over a couple of weeks. Many plants settle once conditions stop changing.
How to tell
Leaves yellow and then drop, and the bark mix stays wet for days after watering.
The fix
Ease off watering, check drainage, and inspect for rot in the roots if it feels soft.
How to tell
Leaves drop after the bark mix has been bone dry for a while. Watch for wrinkled leaves first.
The fix
If the bark is dry and the firm roots look silvery, water thoroughly and let the pot drain completely. Then check the bark and roots before every watering rather than watering on a fixed day.
How to tell
It sits in a draft, near a cold window, or next to a heater, and leaves fall after a cold snap or a sudden temperature swing.
The fix
Move it somewhere with stable, draft-free temperatures.
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