Unidentified white stuff on leaf - treatment?

[rainbowducky]

Hi,

I have a Phalaenopsis Orchid.

I noticed some white patches growing on the lower 2 leaves. I was worried so I cut these leaves off.

There are smaller white patches developing on the edge and middle of the top leaves and I am worried that my plant is sick.

Can somebody help me identify what it is? I have supplied the photo of the cut leaves. I apologize if this was the wrong thing to do... I really want my plant to get better.

[Bralandros]

I had similar issue I believe its a white rot fungi . I don't have money for fancy chemicals I would recommend soaking the whole plant in a gallon of water with a half cup of hydrogen peroxide for 15 minutes. rinse thoroughly and crush ,1 325 mg asprin uncoated tab in 2gal of water for 30 mins this will boost your plants immunity do the soak in total dark so the somatas open and increase absorbtion then take it and put it close to a fan I use a osselating 10 inch fan set to speed 2 and let plant thourily dry and then wait for improvement. If after 14 days of no watef you see improvement resume water as normal. If not water with another half strength asprin treatment. I have rescued plants from fungi using this cheap method of course if money is of no concern physan 20 seems to have high praise based on online reviews I dont know how to use it but im sure some instructions can be found online. Hope this helps my first time actually answering a question or trying to . One last thought make sure the fungi isn't in the media if so repotting with clean sterile media may be necessary . Ok I think that's everything.

[hagfish]

If the white patches are not fuzzy, then it is sunburn. Otherwise it is mold. Phals dislike direct sun. If your plant receives direct sun then place it in a place that gets indirect light.

[sthh]

Looks like sunburn to me.
You do not really need to cut away the leaves.
Is this a new location for the phals? It could be too hot and sunny.
If you phal is mounted, then maybe the roots are not established on the mount yet. Exposing newly mounted to bright area will burn the leaves for newly mounted phals too.

[rainbowducky]

Thanks for the replies.

I brought the leaf to my local nursery and they believed that I might be over watering it. I think this is definitely a possibility and I believe it was not in a pot that allowed it to drain properly.

The plant was really overdue to be re-potted, so I have done that and put it in a better pot. I pruned the roots lightly and they looked pretty good. I have given it a decent watering and I will leave it for a week and see if it improves.

If by a week or so it hasn't improved then I reassess and consider that it is either mold or fungus.

The plant is indoors so it should rarely get directly sunlight, although it is possible that it got hit by some direct sunlight which may have crept through the side of a blind.

Thanks again all.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Most likely sunburn. Another possibility is exposure to cold.