Help! Can I save these abused phalaenopsis?

[Missusk]

Here is another orchid that I asked about - it lost most of it leaves and hasn't produced a new one, but it has developed what looks like lots of healthy roots.

The image to the very right is when I got it (back in early April)

[Missusk]

And here is the orchid that was stuck in a pot with no drainage holes. I repotted it and it was doing great - new healthy leaf and roots - until this week! I noticed that it's developed a black patch with white spotting under one of it's leaves. What could be causing this? Spider mites? Fungus? It does have a moldy smell. I'd appreciate any advice on what to do!

Again the image on the very right is when I first got it

[Missusk]

And I got another Phalaenopsis that was on it's last legs - roots were rotted, etc. Did the repot, etc. It was doing well - new roots developing, some new leaves. Yesterday I watered it and it looked fine. Then this morning I found two leaves that fell off with black and gray spots and the crown has a black oozy spot too.

I've separated it from the other orchids - is this a fungus? Should I cut off the black part of the crown? Really appreciate advice on what to do!

[estación seca]

You've learned Phals are incredibly resilient if pests are removed and you provide warmth, humidity and plenty of water. Congratulations!

[Missusk]

Originally Posted by estación seca

You've learned Phals are incredibly resilient if pests are removed and you provide warmth, humidity and plenty of water. Congratulations!

I have indeed thanks to all the great advice I read on this board.

Any idea what is causing the black parts on the two phals I posted above? The first three pics I reposted are for one phal; the pic on the right is for a different phal- the black part is under the leaf. Hope these still can be saved!

[estación seca]

That is mealy bug or scale damage. The white bumps are the bugs. They are related insects. Soap or 70% alcohol kills them but not eggs. You need to be vigilant and treat quickly.

[Missusk]

Originally Posted by estación seca

That is mealy bug or scale damage. The white bumps are the bugs. They are related insects. Soap or 70% alcohol kills them but not eggs. You need to be vigilant and treat quickly.

Ugh. I think it's scale and now I'm seeing that a few of the orchids show signs of it. I took a toothbrush with alcohol to try to scrub some of it off. But I feel like I'm damaging the leaves. I'd like to try the soak method - do I also soak the roots? I guess I need to repot the infected plants?

[Roberta]

Scale is really persistent... to really get rid of it you need to use a systemic pesticide. A formula imidacloprid or related compound can help. But uptake of systemics is sloooowww... orchids don't grow fast. In the meantime, you need to treat over a period of time - once every 5-7 days, for a month or two. That nails the successive generations, slowly the numbers get reduced. Ideally, use several different pesticides that have different mechanisms of activity, so that the bugs don't have a chance to develop resistance. So, persistence and patience are both needed.

[Missusk]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Scale is really persistent... to really get rid of it you need to use a systemic pesticide. A formula imidacloprid or related compound can help. But uptake of systemics is sloooowww... orchids don't grow fast. In the meantime, you need to treat over a period of time - once every 5-7 days, for a month or two. That nails the successive generations, slowly the numbers get reduced. Ideally, use several different pesticides that have different mechanisms of activity, so that the bugs don't have a chance to develop resistance. So, persistence and patience are both needed.

Ok, thanks. The challenge I have with the persistence part is that sometimes I have go away and I'm not sure my husband has the patience to deal with scale infested orchids. I'm really hoping it's just these few orchids that got infested. The others look ok.

[estación seca]

The problem is they may lay eggs away from the plant. Even if you eliminate them from the plant they might crawl back. I use the 8-24 hour soak routinely, after brushing off whatever I see with 70% alcohol. It is usually at least a few weeks before I see them (if they even come back.)

To soak plants in floating medium, like bark, I quickly invert the plant and pot into a filled pitcher or bucket. I put something heavy on top to hold it under the water. You only need a small amount of soap; more is not better. 1 tsp/5ml of dish detergent in a gallon or more is enough.