Is There a Phalaenopsis Dr. In The House?

[Gwenchanter]

Hi guys, you may have seen my post in the Idenification thread with pictures of my pink phal which I have named "Sara". Anyways, Sara has developed some kind of brown valley type thing one on of her new leaves and it's scareing me. I know nothing about orchid diseases and I've never seen anything like this before. I don't want to use any dangerous chemicals if it can be avoided but I dont want her to die either since she was my 1st orchid. Anyone know what this is? Here is a pic:



Larger Image of the whole plant:


Ok also, over the summer I left my orchids outside in the bushes while I was on vacation and *I think* something ate them. Here is a picture of last years leaf that got eaten, which is underneeth one of the new leaves that grew this year. Please tell me this wont happen anymore as long as I keep my plants out of the bushes!? LOL or maybe it's a disease that is now spreading to the new leaves? Please help!

[Djarum Black]

I am not a doctor, and not an expert but.. my guess is that the bottom picture looks a lot like snail or slug damage and the top looks like cell damage from cold water?
I am sure someone will know

[Gwenchanter]

Thanks for your responce, it's very possible that the bottom picture was snail or slug damage.

As far as the top picture, it does seem to be spreading a little more each day so I don't think its any kind of water damage. Also, I water with my garden hose and the water is ususally a little warm actually. We did have a few coldish nights though.

[Neverend]

Mesophyll collapse for the first picture, luckily there's no more of it, otherwise bacteria will enter the plant through the opening and cause rot.

And omg what the hell was that eating your phal?!

[Gwenchanter]

Yikes! Thanks Neverend! Have any ideas what causes Mesophyll collapse and how I can prevent it? Is there anything else I should do to the leaf to make sure it doesnt keep happening? Would it be helpful or harmful to cut out the section with the collapse with some shears?

I have no idea what ate my phal lol. I was in a hurry and had to go away for three months and left it in the bushes in front of my house. I live in Miami and I figured the humidity and summer rain would keep it alive. We have LOTs of bugs down here so it could have been any number of things. I just wanted to make sure you guys agree with me that something ate it, and that it's not some crazy disease. And don't worry I'll NEVER leave my plants in the bushes again. I'll have a friend orchid-sit instead. =)

[Djarum Black]

Hi Gwen,

Mesophyll collapse in many cases is caused by excessive cold. That’s why I asked if you had watered with really cold water or something like that.
It could also happen if you left it outside and the temperature dropped way to low.
If it is spreading, it means that it is probably infected with some type of bacteria. Like an open wound. I would sterilize a razor and cut the leaf off till there is no black left. The put something on the new cut you made, like cinnamon if you have some.
It might not be very pretty for a long time, but I think it will live.

[Gwenchanter]

Thanks for the great advice DJ!!!
I will do just as you said first thing tommorow.

As far as cold, my orchids do live outside on my patio. It doesnt get much colder then 60 degrees at night here in the winter although we do get a cold front now and then that lasts a day or two, in which case I bring my orchids inside for the night. It's possible that the temps dipped down below 60 without me realising it.


I'm really not worried about how it looks LOL!! Pretty foliage went out the window when something decided to make a banquet out of the bottom leaf. As long as it lives and flowers I'm a happy camper.

=) =)
-Lisa

[Gwenchanter]

Ok this is the followup to the fate of my orchid.
I've been busy so I havent had time to post this up until now but I did the "surgery" the next day after my last post. It's been a few weeks now and "sara" seems to be doing fantastic. She is going to open her first flower of the season within the week I think too! Thanks to everyone and especially DJ for the instructions.