white-speckled leaves?

[K.Veren]

Hi everyone, I'm afraid I need your help again....
My roommate bought a small phalaenopsis orchid but she's afraid that it's not looking very healthy because the leaves are covered with thousands of small pits so it looks as though someone sand-blasted the plant and then lightly dusted it in flour. We've tried wiping the leaves off, and yet it retains its white powdery look, and the texture is undeniably rough, and doesn't look at all like my two plants which I presume are healthy.
I've checked the root system on her plant, but aside from a few dried up roots, all seems well; no root rot in sight. It's even growing new roots. could it be some sort of fungus? sunburn?

(sorry for my terrible cell phone quality picture)

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I'm not exactly sure what it is...

It looks diseased. It could be viral.

If it's not viral it's a bad spider mite affliction.

Whatever it is keep it away from all the other plants you guys own.

There are viral tests out there. That's the only way to tell if it's viral or not.

Check to see if there are any tiny dust like red spider mites or any other colored mites for that matter. Also look for possible inconspicuous webbing.

[tuvoc]

Sorry I'm not sure either, but I will guess spider mites also. To me it looks more insect than disease.

Kim

[Ray]

I would vote for might damage as well, but there has been a lot of discussion of a "microfungus" (google that) afflicting phalaenopsis that should not be overlooked.

[K.Veren]

if it is spider mites, how should we get rid of them? or is it too late?

[PitcherASAMD]

It's so weird that you posted this picture tonight. I think my plant has a the same or similiar issue....thousands of tiny little holes in all of the leaves.....And it's slowly dying off....If it's mites how do you treat?

[K.Veren]

I read that keeping the humidity up (misting and moisture trays) is the best way to get rid of them, is that true?

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[Cookiemonster]

It looks to me like mites... white pitting in the leaves...
One test can be to get some rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab and rub it over the leaves if you get a orange-redish-burnt tint then you have red spider mites, it could also be the white false spider mite and not be visible.
Also as Ray mentioned above it could be that microfungus that hits it fast and takes it down

[Vulpes Velox]

never having had mites in my plants im curious. wouldnt you be able to see them if that was the case? i know they can be small but still?