Spots on Colomanar Wildcat leaves, phalaenopsis roots Repotting issue - Orchid Board

AGallon · #1 02-27-2011, 07:32 PM

I have found this forum to be a vaulable resource for caring for my little collection. But i have come across a couuple issues and don't know what to do. So if anyone has any information that might useful it would be great.

My first problem pertains to a Colomanar Wildcat "red lip"
It was given to me as a present and arrived with little black spots all over the leaves, largely on the bottom side of the leaf. They don't appear to be growing, spreading or changing at all. I thought perhaphs it was a light issue. But recently i've had 2 pheudobulbs shrivel and go brown, and a couple of leaves as well. I have it potted in sphagnum moss in a ceramic pot. I am hoping to figure out the problem while i can still treat it , or change something before its too late. I'm going to try to attach photo's to help with the diagnosis.

Second issue is with a Phalaenosis. It came to me potted in sphagnum moss and i am afraid i might be over watering it and am repotting it into bark and charcol mix, in a pot with air gaps in the side. The roots of the plant though are where i'm haveing troubles. I'm not sure whether it is normal or not, but the roots in places are split and brown. They are still firm and solid, but have parts on them seem odd and i am not sure whether it is an issue that needs to be treated or if they need to be cut or left alone. Hope you all might be able to enlighten me. Any info, suggestions or past experiances would be greatly appreciated!

-A Gallon

AGallon · #2 02-27-2011, 07:41 PM

pictures?

Val · #3 02-27-2011, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGallon

My first problem pertains to a Colomanar Wildcat "red lip"
It was given to me as a present and arrived with little black spots all over the leaves, largely on the bottom side of the leaf. They don't appear to be growing, spreading or changing at all. I thought perhaphs it was a light issue.

I have similar little black spots on my "Cambria" NOID (which is or resembles Colmanara Masai Red). I stil don't know what they are, but they don't seem to do any harm. See: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-problems.html
Since I posted my 3 problems, I've seen several identical "Cambria" in Ikea with the same little black spots on the back of the leaves. They must be normal for this hybrid.

Zoi2 · #4 02-27-2011, 10:37 PM

Onc plants do have a tendancy to get those black spots. Water standing on the leaves with poor air circulation is usually one of the causes. I would be more concerned about the wrinkling pbulbs. Have you checked the roots on that plant? If it is planted in moss in a ceramic pot, the roots may be staying too wet.
Your phal roots look ok, they've been a bit wet but once you repot in a drier medium with some air circulation to the roots they should start growing.
Joann

RosieC · #5 02-28-2011, 08:17 AM

My colmanara (which might or might not be a Wildcat) also has spots like this. It's never caused a problem and as Joann has said it may just be something they are prone to.

I agree with Joann that the phals roots look OK.

Eyebabe · #6 02-28-2011, 09:20 AM

The leaf spots on the oncidium are not concerning. However, your brown pseudobulb is and I would be removing it and looking at my roots to see if the plant needs to be treated for some rot and repotted. Oncidiums are wonderfully resilient and a bit of TLC and your plant will be fine and even thrive.

The phalaenopsis has bacterial rot at the base and although the roots look nice on the ends, this will likely soon change. The roots cannot deliver their nutrients if the connection to the plant is nonexistent...thus, your goal should be to salvage this connection if possible. However, success will be truly a challenge. You will recognize failure when the leaves begin to soften and look wilted prior to falling off the plant. I think if you treat now you have a good chance of keeping your plant growing healthy.
You may try treating with some Phyton 27, but I've made my feelings quite clear in prior posts about "rescuing phals". (Although in this case, I'd probably try

)
After 7 years of learning, I've learned it's more practical to start over

PS. Always hate to be Ms. Anti-Sunshine; maybe I should have talked about the phal first and the oncidium last to end on a positive note

AGallon · #7 02-28-2011, 08:34 PM

Thanks for all your help! My next step with the Colomanar was to pull it out of it's pot and have a look at the roots. I'll get on it right away. Is it common for orchids with root issues to still grow a new shoots? This wildcat is growing well but now loosing pbulbs... So i'm a little confused..
I've heard that cinnamon helps with root rot as well? I'm not sure if this Phyton is available in Canada, but i'll look around to see what else i could use to treat it. Would any bacterial treatment work or do orchids require special "medicines"? I know some of you have said my phal looks fine, but i think i'd rather be safe than sorry. Thanks for your help! Keep the comments coming!

quiltergal · #8 03-01-2011, 12:00 AM

It looks to me like the Wildcat is planted to deep in the moss which could be contributing to the Pbulb rot you are seeing. You do need to unpot and cut off the rotted pieces to stop the spread of rot. The Pbulbs should sit just on top of the media not below it. I don't think I've see a plant yet in this alliance that doesn't have those black spots. I wouldn't worry about them. Plants in the Oncidium family will continue to try and grow new leads because that is also where new roots grow from. They seldom grow new roots from old Pbulbs.

I think the Phal is salvageable. This on also looks like it may have been planted too deep. Again, you want the plant to sit on top of the media not under it. That dark spot on the side looks like it could be the beginning of rot which could have spread to the roots. If you can't get Phyton 27 or Physan 20 then try spraying the whole root system with brown listerine. Cinnamon is good for applying to green leaf tissue but not so good on root tissue. It's too drying. I think what I would do is leave it bare root for a few days and continue treating with some kind of bactericide every day, and then pot it up. You'll probably lose a few leaves but I think it will make it.

AGallon · #9 03-04-2011, 12:00 AM

All right, so I went to look for a treatment for the root rot and came up empty handed. Apparently last year they changes the laws here in Canada regarding chemicals that can be used on plants to try and make things greener.. And there is no bacterial treatment i can get my hands on. So i was wondering about the brown listeine. First are you refering to literine like the mouth wash? Or perhaps something else i'm not familiar with? Could other bacterial killing stuff like alcohol or peroxide be used or will they likely injuer the plant? I'm starting to run out of options...

quiltergal · #10 03-04-2011, 01:33 AM

Yep plain old brown Listerine mouthwash. I haven't used it because I can get my hands on Physan and Phyton, but I know folks here on OB have used it successfully as a bactricide. Hydrogen peroxide can be used on other parts of the plant that may have rot, but I would be very hesitant to use it on root tissue unless it was very dilute.