I get these on my phals sometimes. I have a theory that under certain conditions, a drop of water can act like a magnifying glass to scorch a small spot on a leaf. It becomes more susceptible to bacteria, but if kept dry &/or rubbed with cinnamon may not grow. Over time the spot may evolve to a small hole in the leaf. If it does grow, trim & apply cinnamon. Repeat as needed. msflintlock

There were not there when I bought them, and have been in a 30 gal open tank with uva/uvb lighting. They are on the underside of the leaf, so I not sure how it would have got hit. But when I first saw them they were smaller and I didn't really think too much of the spots. Now they are getting larger and seem to be spreading through to the front side. I have removed them from tank at this time. I have another orchid in the same tank but also different plant cuttings and would not want to get anything else sick if it is a virus/fungus.

May I ask the OP where they have gotten their basic information culture information? I am curious where this information comes from. I see it many times from people new to orchids. I see nothing in the other post that states " Too much light". In fact I see the opposite many times over from experienced growers. I don't understand how the OP arrived at too much light conclusion. A Phalaenopsis is a tropical plant in a non-tropical environment. A Northern exposure and 50º temps would not benefit a Phalaenopsis or any other tropical flowering plant. Would you describe your present indoor conditons & culture? Would you tell us what steps you have taken to cure the "brown spot" problem? Would you be able to provide a photo? Would you tell us where/ when the plant was purchased? The OP has a declining plant. Spraying and misting cures nothing and can cause a variety of problems. You have a yet to be determined problem (I'd wager a lack of light). You have let it go for a few months. I would suspect your phal's problem has not improved. I strongly suspect you will face even greater problems quite soon. Spots don't disappear unless these were spots caused by a sudden shift in light (more) which happens in the fall months. You have brought it inside and the plant is now underlight, "darkening down". The spots would disappear under those circumstances. Plants leaves get darker the less light given. This is not a good thing. There is nothing that resembles Phalaenopsis culture (care). Buds don't stay forever. It's not a realistic expectation. I am not sure how that comes as a surprise to folks new to orchids . It's not the first time that I have seen an OP shocked that their bloom cycle is ending. I am not wondering if it is the price that is somehow associated bloom longevity. The OP posted more than 2 months ago. The plant may have run it's flowering cycle. Why will the spikes will be cut back to the 3rd node? Whay aren't they being cutt all the way down? I'm asking for my own curiousity, where this information comes from? Is the OP hoping the plant will re-bloom from the 3rd node? It is rare event for a phal in more ideal condtions to re-flower, a Big Box phal even more remote, a sick phal, probably suicide The plant needs attention and culture that fits a phal: - An acclimation to proper light. A south or East window supplimented by 14-16 hours of light every day Temps that are in the 75-80º range day and no lower than 60º night A solid watering regime which Richard describes above, not a dip in a bowl of water Dispense with misting if there is a problem. The risk of rot is quite high, especially when the plant is underlight. The plant is also risking over-watering. Misting does not increase humidity around the plant. Misting can cool leaves, leave spots, create rot. The plant needs time to grow a new set of leaves in proper phal conditons. Then it may reflower for you next year Clara

Tanie, Ok, its looking more and more like it might just be sunburn. You need to keep watching it to make sure It does not turn into something else, but if it is sunburn, here Is what you should expect to see. As long as the plant does not receive additional burn, the spots should not grow any larger. You can expect the worst of the spots to become sunken to some extent, and the very worst of them may eventually become thin, leathery, and dark (almost black) Unsightly, but as long as they don't get larger than they are now, they should cause no real harm to the plant. Now, lets see if we can prevent this from happening again. Phalaenopsis are not high light demanding plants when compared to Vandas and Cymbidiums, for instance. They do need their light though. The location where you are growing Phal's, whether inside or outside, should be very bright on days when the sun is shining and there are few or no clouds. On these bright days, if you place your hand between the plant and the sun, you should see no shadow, or at most a very indistinct shadow of your hand on the plant. If you see a very sharp, distinct shadow on the plant, it probably is getting too much sunlight. Over time the leaves on your Phalaenopsis plants should be a kind of medium yellow green. if the leaves are dark green and lush looking you probably need to increase the light.....do that slowly and carefully, if you push them out into more light too quickly they will burn. Hope this make sense and helps. Bill