Please help...something is eating my leaves - Orchid Board

Bospen · #1 08-09-2009, 01:32 AM

Hi everyone,

Thanks in advance for your help. I have a Stanhopea tigrina that is under attack. Something is eating the "green" out of the leaves and leaving the veins. I looked for signs of insects, but didn't see too much. I sprayed it down with an insecticide. Any suggestions?? Thanks!

Dave

Breezy · #2 08-09-2009, 01:38 AM

sounds like caterpillars or something similar....snail, slug, some sort of worm or larvae feasting away. Spraying insecticide was def. a step in the right direction.

Bospen · #3 08-09-2009, 01:42 AM

Great, however, it appears that it is coming from the inside out, that is, the leaf appears to be whole, it has just lost its' color. The leaf appears clear, with some veins. Any ideas??

Breezy · #4 08-09-2009, 01:51 AM

oh ok, now that sounds more like sunburn. Unfortunately sunburn is irreversible, but in time the plant will make new leaves and the burnt ones will fall off. I burnt one of my Phals earlier this summer and he has 2 leaves where half of them are crispy clear now, luckily its grown a few new leaves since and the burnt ones are on bottom now.

If you could post a pic of the leaves I or someone else will really be able to tell what might be going on. Where is the plant currently located? What kind of sun is it getting? How much direct sunlight?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #5 08-09-2009, 02:03 AM

Do you have pics?

The only insect that does damage inside out are the larvae of leafhoppers.

Without seeing a picture of your Stanhopea, I'm guessing it's like what Breezy said - sunburn.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #6 08-09-2009, 02:06 AM

Incidentally, how are you growing the Stanhopea?

Bospen · #7 08-09-2009, 02:07 AM

I'll attempt to attach a pic later today, as the battery in my camera is dead. I currently have it in a hanger where it gets prob a couple of hours of direct sun a day. Is that too much?

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #8 08-09-2009, 02:13 AM

It's definitely sunburn.

Stanhopeas are shade to bright shade growing plants. They shouldn't be in any kind of direct sun at all.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #9 08-09-2009, 02:15 AM

Just in case you ever come across leafhoppers. Here's a link:

Leafhopper Homepage

Leafhoppers aren't as big of a pest as mealy bugs are though.

Bospen · #10 08-09-2009, 02:16 AM

Well, unfortunately, I have no idea where to put it because of all the conflicting advice out there. How is shade defined? And bright shade? I have no idea what that is. Im in a state that might as well be an island known as south Florida. Should it be kept inside or outside?