Cattleya leaf problems?

[Cstanm700]

Anyone know what this is? It is indented in the leaf.

[tucker85]

I've seen that before but I don't know what it is. Check the underside of the leaf for mites. Take a wet, white paper towel and wipe the underside of the leaf. Then look and see if you have any tiny red spots on the paper towel that would indicate spider mites. If there aren't any, just continue to give the orchid good care.

[Cstanm700]

How big of red spots am I looking for? Nothing stands out when I did it.

[Brooke]

Has it been outside? A small slug or small caterpillar make marks on foliage like that.

Brooke

[Cstanm700]

I just got this from hauserman's 5 days ago and since it hasn't been outside. I am not 100% positive if this was there when I received it but I don't think it was.

[NYCorchidman]

Could it be an early stage of sun damage? just a wild guess.

I have a LC Golden Sands that show that type of white scar on one of the old leaves. It was present on the leaf at the time of purchase but I didn't think too much of it.
It almost look like some sort of machenical damage at a first glance. Is the white indented area moist or dry?

[Cstanm700]

Moist

[NYCorchidman]

You said you're not sure if this was on your plant when you first got it.
Did you see any snail hanging inside the box? It does look like snail damage and if it is moist, then it really is likely. then again, I'm just speculating.

The nursery I got my catt with this similar symptom has snail issues. but small snails that nibble on roots. This damage, if it indeed is from snail, has to be a large garden snail of some sort.

Also, snails love to eat up buds or flowers but I would think cattleya leaf is rather too tough to chew on.

or again, some kind of mechanical damage.
My catt has this one area on one old leaf. It's been growing well and all the leaves that grew under my care are perfectly fine with no blemish.

or this could be one of those physiological issues of some sort.

[Cstanm700]

I have since circled the damage with a sharpie, if it gets bigger I'm going to cut off the bad part of the leaf.

[NYCorchidman]

good idea. keep us informed. I'm curious to see