Please help identify problem!!! SOS PHAL - Orchid Board

Candice · #1 07-18-2007, 01:22 PM

ARRRGGGHHH!! Okay I only own phals for right now...and all are not in bloom, but growing very nicely, i.e. new leaves and root growth lookin great.......
I have "saved" these plants from either Lowes or Walmart...at half price at Walmart and $1.00 each at Lowes!!! (Who could pass that up, right?!!!) BUT....on one plant, the leave has a spot or two that has gone all the way through, I don't know if it is rot or what...do I cut off the leave? Why is it a purplecolor towards the crown and on the underneath of leaves? Haven't seen that in the two years I've been collecting 'chids....have you? Also, another plant's leave looks like maybe a slug came by and eat through the leaf...is that what that is..or something else...
I grow outside here in South Alabama, I water cautiously, and fertilize correctly..that I know of....
PLEASE HELP ME AND MY 'CHIDS!!!!!
Oh and her's a pic of my first and only keiki which is on the plant I got from Walmart...yeeehhhh!!!
~Candice
I love this board and all its member...great info and ideas!!!!!

slipperfreak · #2 07-18-2007, 02:49 PM

Hi Candice,

Some of those spots look simply like scorching from too much light, but that last one looks infected... for scorch marks I wouldn't worry but if any are soft and mushy they are probably infected with bacteria; in that case I would use a sterilized tool to cut off the infected area and treat with a bactericide. the purple underneath is normal; I have it on my Phal Maki Watanabe, and I think it's just a pigment in the leaves (like that found on the undersides of some mottled-leaved Paphs). Nice keiki by the way!

Djarum Black · #3 07-18-2007, 03:21 PM

Hi Candice,

I also agree the purple-red leaves are alright. I don't know what phals you have but I have a few that grow purple-redish looking new leaves. They tend to green out as they get older. I think the coloration depends on what plants were used in breeding.

Oscarman · #4 07-18-2007, 05:52 PM

Candice, the two spots look like physical damage to me with a bit of rot going on. If they are dry and not mushy, wet etc I would leave then alone.
The pic with the single spot is definately physical damage. Again if there is no sign of wet, rot-type activity going on then leave it alone.

What looks worse the spots of a large cut off section of leaf? Remember all cuts need to be done with a sterilized blade. Cinnamon works well for a non-chemical alternative to help with rot and on cut surfaces.

I concur with everyone on the purple color.......it is natural pigments. Some say you will see this on the leaves of Phals that have pink and red flowers, not on white or light flowering plants.

Candice · #5 07-18-2007, 08:09 PM

Thank you all for replying to my SOS.....Great advice and help thank you....
Though Oscarman I'm not sure what you mean by this
What looks worse the spots of a large cut off section of leaf? Remember all cuts need to be done with a sterilized blade. Cinnamon works well for a non-chemical alternative to help with rot and on cut surfaces.
What picture do you see this...I didn't cut any leaves, nor see any that I am aware of. Please point this out to me so I don't misunderstand your comment.
All these plants were aquired without blooms so maybe the pigment for darker shades of flowers are inherent...??!!!??!? I guess we shall find out if and once they bloom for me..!
That's the best surprise, to receive a plant and then have it flower something that you don't know what to expect!
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

gixrj18 · #6 07-18-2007, 08:38 PM

I think what Oscarman was trying to say is would it look worse with the spots, or with half a leaf (in the event that you cut out the spots.) He is also saying that if you do have to cut it out, or if the plant has any open wounds, applying cinammon to the wound will help dry it out and prevent fungus from entering. I don't think he was saying it had a cut.

Candice · #7 07-18-2007, 09:05 PM

Thanks Jasen for the clarification!!!!!

I need to go buy some cinnamon!!!!!

Oscarman · #8 07-19-2007, 06:25 PM

Thanks Jasen - you interpreted perfectly!

Candice · #9 07-19-2007, 07:29 PM

We are all talking about just regular old ground cinnamon, correct?

And cut with scissors that you can sterilize but buring the blades with a match, for example?

Just want to get it straight....

Cut with sterilized equipment, then dust with cinnamon, any wounds, like damaged roots when repotting, or cuts on the leaves??

gixrj18 · #10 07-19-2007, 09:04 PM

You should use a candle or a torch to sterilize shears/blade. Something that you can really heat them up with. And then, apply the cinammon after cutting. Yes, regular cinammon powder, not the mix with sugar in it.