Black Spots on Phal leaves - Orchid Board

bwehr28 · #1 01-06-2018, 02:50 PM

I got this orchid on clearance from a near by greenhouse. It has always had a couple black spots that I assumed were sunburn. Recently however, the spots have started popping up in other areas. What do you think this is? Pests? Fungal? Bacterial? Suggested treatments. On of my other phals also started with a few faint spots. Is it spreading!?!?!?

estación seca · #2 01-06-2018, 11:50 PM

How long have you had this plant? How long have the spots been there? It's hard to say what they are. They might be places where the leaves were injured by getting poked, or bitten by a bug. Keep an eye on them and see whether they're spreading. I suspect they won't spread because they represent small nicks at the vendor.

aliceinwl · #3 01-07-2018, 03:50 AM

I had a leaf hopper get in the house and start feeding on my orchids. They developed spots that look a lot like yours at the feeding sites. Maybe peak at your plants and make sure there aren’t any insects hiding out in the leaf axils.

bwehr28 · #4 01-07-2018, 09:36 AM

I've had this plant since October. It did come with a few black spots, but there are new ones popping up. Just want to make sure I don't need to cut off leaves.

---------- Post added at 08:36 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:19 AM ----------

I did have a few gnat like things around a different orchid. I thought they might be white flies so I let the orchid dry out and have not noticed them for a month or so. Could that be related?

estación seca · #5 01-07-2018, 09:58 AM

The gnats are probably fungus gnats. They lay eggs in moist soil. The larvae eat decaying organic matter, and sometimes your plants. Their presence suggests it's time to repot, as the medium is probably breaking down.

Letting the medium dry for a while is one way to get rid of them. If you have plants you can't let dry, you can point a fan over your plants. They're weak fliers, and the adults won't be able to lay eggs.

Spots like yours are not reason to cut off leaves. Larger, spreading areas of infection are. I still think most of your spots are damaged areas from insect bites or bumping into things.

bwehr28 · #6 01-14-2018, 10:11 AM

Here are some up-date photos. There are divets forming in the middle of a few leaves. I did spray the black spots with 3% hydrogen peroxide a couple times. Is this a consequence of the peroxide. Losing hope...

Roberta · #7 01-14-2018, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwehr28

Here are some up-date photos. There are divets forming in the middle of a few leaves. I did spray the black spots with 3% hydrogen peroxide a couple times. Is this a consequence of the peroxide. Losing hope...

Losing hope? Why? Plants are living things, and as such have a few imperfections (like all of us do) The photos don't show anything that I would consider worrisome... visible roots don't look great, if you haven't already repotted you should. But otherwise, relax!

Dollythehun · #8 01-14-2018, 01:43 PM

You have heard from two of our most experienced growers. Here is my

I rescued this plant two years ago. Notice the foliage. It didn't bloom the first year but, the second year it bloomed late and exploded with beautiful, huge, white flowers.

Yours doesn't look nearly as bad...just take care of it as best you can and relax and enjoy it please. One thing the OB has taught me...perfection is not obtainable; beauty is.

bwehr28 · #9 01-14-2018, 01:57 PM

I just haven't had any issues with my other 5 orchids so I guess its my inexperience showing through. Its a beautiful 3 spiked phal so I don't want to lose it. I bought it on clearance in October and repotted it right away. I was planning to repot when its done blooming. I will continue to keep a close eye on it. Thank you all for all your help!

Roberta · #10 01-14-2018, 01:59 PM

If repotted in October, don't repot again. Let the roots establish - they will.