Phal with black spots on leaves

[piaffe97]

I've recently noticed these black spots spreading from the leaf edges towards the center of the leaf and I'm not sure what's going on! Here's the plants history: I bought it a year ago in full bloom. After a month the flowers dropped, and just this past February it popped out 2 more flowers since I never cut the stem down. It was planted in the same moss it's in now, and the same pot.

Growing conditions: it's about 70º right now, day and night. Humidity is good. I let it dry completely between waterings, average once every 10 days. I use Dyna-gro fertilizer (7-8-6) each time I water. It gets good light, sitting about 4 feet away from a brightly lit window. No direct sun, but plenty of indirect.

The black spots are mostly on the leaf surface, but I've noticed some underneath as well. I also want to point out the roots, in the moss they look great, but the surface roots look burnt! Any thoughts?

[silken]

Someone else may chime in, but I do wonder if it is a touch of sun burn. Now that the days are getting longer and the sun is hotter. Not sure where you come from if the leaves on trees are out. Certainly not here yet, and spring can cause sunburn worse than summer for that reason. There could be a lot more sun coming in your window now. The first picture shows a lot of light on the plant, but I don't know if that is where it normally sits. If the leaves feel warm, there is too much sun. I would consider wiping the leaf down with regular brown Listerine or a fungicide, just in case it is a fungus or bacteria and moving it back a little ways from the window. The surface roots usually will look a bit drier and brown but they too could have a touch of sunburn. It looks like you have great roots in the pot and otherwise it looks healthy.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

The moss is no good. You gotta change it out. Even if you think you can grow Phals using moss, that moss is starting to get crusty and bad.

I don't think it's sunburn. I think they may be from spider mites, idk.

Use a magnifying glass or a jeweler's loupe to find them.

Do you see any other small insects around?

I usually advise people to not just look through the pot to check the roots if there are signs of problems. However, you're gonna have to repot anyways, so you can check them then.

[kaarthiik]

Hi guys,

Could there be any specific reason for the droopy leafs of the Phal? Few of my Phals have droopy leafs :|

[silken]

Mine droop when they need a drink! But if they have root rot, that would cause it too, as they can't take up any water you give them if they have rotten roots. If they are in too bright or warm of an area they can droop as well.

[kaarthiik]

Originally Posted by silken

Mine droop when they need a drink! But if they have root rot, that would cause it too, as they can't take up any water you give them if they have rotten roots. If they are in too bright or warm of an area they can droop as well.

Thanks, with your inputs I think I have multiple reasons

[piaffe97]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

The moss is no good. You gotta change it out. Even if you think you can grow Phals using moss, that moss is starting to get crusty and bad.

I don't think it's sunburn. I think they may be from spider mites, idk.

Thanks! I will be changing the moss tonight. I haven't noticed any bugs on the plant, but I need to get a magnifying glass to be sure. Now, if it is spider mites, do you recommend something specific to get rid of them?

[pedidiva]

some phals naturally have droopy leaves

[silken]

Originally Posted by pedidiva

some phals naturally have droopy leaves

They can be droopy but shouldn't be limp.