Something is eating my Zygopetalum =(

[Romina0626]

This is very frustrating...something has been eating away at my Zygopetalum. I first noticed it a few weeks ago and thought that somehow my cats got to it. They have chewed on some of my plants on occasion.
As I inspect the plant more I realize that it may not be the work of one of my kitties.
It looks like my poor Zygo got slashed away mercilessly by something!
I am assuming it is some kind of insect...? I never see anything in my apartment except those little knat-like teeny things flying around some of my orchids. Omg could it be them?!
Also I took a picture of the new growth and it has some black on various parts of it...is that fungal?

I have posted pictures...if anyone at all can give me advice on what it can be and how I go about beginning the healing process I would be super grateful and so would my Zygo =)

Thanks a lot!

..Romina and the Zygo

Oh! and btw the same thing has happened to my Ondontoglossum/Oncidium orchid...the culprit got one of those leaves too.
Hmmmm both these orchids have similar leaves (kind of on the thin side) compared to my phals. Not sure if that has anything to do with anything. My phals are all unharmed though.

[Vanda lover]

As soon as I saw this, I wondered if you had kitties. Are you sure it wasn't them? I have never seen insects that chew like that.

[LizB88]

this pictures looks like when my cat got my orchids a few months ago! I would bet that the culprit is a four leg it one!

Getting some Kittie grass has stop the nightly snaking on my plants

[Romina0626]

Hey guys and thanks for your replies.
It could be the cats but the other night I specifically put my Zygo in a spot where they could not reach it at all.
I did come across a big dark moth that is hanging out on my kitchen wall, it's about half an inch long. Do you think that could be eating it?
I'm going to put it outside now.


Romina

[kindrag23]

I am not thinking a moth that small could do this much damage. Cats possibly. I am always a better to be sure person. So maybe hit it w a 3 in 1 systemic like Bayer rose care. Feeds protects and fights off any type of buggies...

---------- Post added at 08:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

Hopefully your baby gets better. I have a corgi and she used to use my gardenia bush and its pot for a launching pad to get a hold of her treats!

[vjo]

Kitties....OR I would be moving immediately!!! Next the monster is going to get you!...Jean

[desertanimal]

Cats. I have damage just like that.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Romina0626

Hey guys and thanks for your replies.
It could be the cats but the other night I specifically put my Zygo in a spot where they could not reach it at all.
I did come across a big dark moth that is hanging out on my kitchen wall, it's about half an inch long. Do you think that could be eating it?
I'm going to put it outside now.


Romina

Moths feed on nectar. No teeth!

---------- Post added at 12:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 AM ----------

Originally Posted by kindrag23

I am not thinking a moth that small could do this much damage. Cats possibly. I am always a better to be sure person. So maybe hit it w a 3 in 1 systemic like Bayer rose care. Feeds protects and fights off any type of buggies...

---------- Post added at 08:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------

Hopefully your baby gets better. I have a corgi and she used to use my gardenia bush and its pot for a launching pad to get a hold of her treats!

The spray could harm the kitties!

[Island Girl]

It's definitely cats... No insect leaves marks like that! If you do get the Bayers 3 n 1, make sure to get the kind without fertilizer... It can be too strong for orchids, and burn leaves/roots.

The black spots look like you got water in between the leaves, and it stayed there without drying quickly enough, and it rotted it a little... You can put rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol, from the drug store) on it, that should help prevent further infection. You can treat it for awhile, until you know the spots aren't spreading any further, & they will probably dry up too, at some point. Just douse it every couple days for a week or so... Just try to keep water away from those new growths, especially down inside them, these types of orchids (thin-leaved, sympodial), don't like to have their leaves get wet (some are worse than others, but none like having water get down inside, or in between the leaves on those new growths). Also, make sure that any foliage that happens to get wet, dries before nightfall... and while I'm at it, I also wouldn't suggest you "mist" this orchid either....

Good Luck! and try to not use pesticides on your plants, since your cats seem to be able to get to them, I have kitties too, and would hate to see them get hurt Btw....there's a section on the Orchid Board where you can post pics of your kitties as well...