Catasetum troubles - Orchid Board

The Orchid Boy · #1 07-09-2013, 01:20 AM

I've become a little concerned about my Ctsm. Frilly Doris. It has little yellow spots on the leaves and has sticky dew on the undersides. I really sure that it isn't an insect pest. I've looked all over for pests and even went out with a flashlight to check it in the night. It is under T5s and fairly close to them. Could it be just a little too cool for it currently? 75F to 65 F. It's been a little cooler in my growing area than usual. I could grow it outside. It also has a teeny tiny thing that would develop into a growth. I think it would if it was warmer. That's my best guess, what do you think?

Topside of leaf:

Underside of same leaf:

Discus · #2 07-09-2013, 04:51 AM

It looks sort of like the sort of thing I've seen on plants people say have a virus; it's also possible (if this is indeed a deciduous type) that is part of the natural leaf senescence process and quite normal. Not having played around with this group, I'm not sure what a senescing leaf looks like.

Greenthumb.5 · #3 07-09-2013, 10:15 AM

Just ignore it because as the catasetum's leaves age then the leaves have yellow spots but as the season for them to fall dormant then the spots enlarge and the tip becomes yellow and work its way down then it falls off.

---------- Post added at 10:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:13 AM ----------

But humidity could be a factor as spider mites love catasetums. But you can spray it with a fungicide/miticide/insecticide to kill your problems for the comfort of the mind.

orchidsarefun · #4 07-09-2013, 11:15 AM

I would also put it outdoors as bugs/pests are soon sorted out naturally if that is the problem. Its also good for the plant........mine are doing great.

Bud · #5 07-09-2013, 02:06 PM

for your peace of mind and to rule out bug infestation, wash it with soap and water ....if you can give it bright shaded sun outdoors just make sure not to burn the leaves....this is the time to liberally water it and feed it fertilizer weekly weakly

Brooke · #6 07-09-2013, 03:30 PM

This entire family produces the sticky dew on the undersides of the leaves. The yellow spots are the plant fighting off small fungal spots which the dew attracted.

This year was particularly bad for my plants to get extra sticky. The foliage is so gorgeous once the dew pops out, the uglies start. You will know when they are starting to go deciduous, the tips of the leaves start dying back.

Brooke

The Orchid Boy · #7 07-09-2013, 07:13 PM

I posted the same info in another forum. Most there think it is insect pests: Catasetum troubles - Slippertalk Orchid Forum- The best slipper orchid forum for paph, phrag and other lady slipper orchid discussion! I'm confused.... I might treat it for insects just in case. Brooke, do you have any pictures of your plants doing this for comparison?

Brooke · #8 07-10-2013, 04:08 PM

No I don't have any pictures of the marks but they are exactly like the marks on some of mine.

If you don't have bugs then the fungal spots is probably the answer. This family does attract spider mites but the damage is totally different.

Brooke

euplusia · #9 07-10-2013, 05:21 PM

Honestly I do not know.
The disseminated pattern of infestation and the central point make me think of a sucking insect. I've seen similar damage by Thrips.
It has always been beneficial to spray developing leaves of Catasetum with miticides and insecticides, before the warm days of summer set in.
But only a few insecticides work effectively against Thrips.