Problem with new Paph Magic leopard x callosum

[Olivia]

After some success with Phals I got my first Paph 3 weeks ago at J&L Orchids. Everything looked fine and I was told it should do well with a little less light and a little more water than my phals are getting.

I got up this morning and found two spots on one leaf. One is a brown sunken spot in the middle of the leaf (doesn't seem wet) and the other is a dark almost black spot at the end of the leaf with yellow around it. These are definitely new and could have only been there since yesterday at the longest. I know some things go downhill very quickly, what should I do with this?

My next question is should the leaves be slightly textured? I don't know if you can see it in the pictures but the leaves aren't completely smooth. Is this normal for this kind of paph?

The info on the tag read Paph. Magic leopard #10 x Paph. callosum #1

[RosieC]

I'm afraid I'm not sure if these are a problem or not. My first instinct is that small marks like that have not been a problem on my paph is the past, but then I'm not so sure.

Hope someone else has an idea.

[nenella]

Olivia,
First, Welcome to Orchid Board! As far as your Paph is concerned I would not worry too much.. Leaves pretty often get blemishes from all sorts of things like hitting something when being moved etc...
Just keep on keeping an eye on it for now. Keep us posted.

[johnblagg]

by textured do you mean not quite smooth as if some areas have a thicker waxy layer than others ?

I just boutght a Paph pinocchio at a orchid show and it looks great other than soem areas look thicker than others no spots at all just uneven texture...if thats what you mean I think its probably fine

[Olivia]

It's just an uneven texture which really didn't concern me until these spots appeared. I figured it was just the way these paphs with mottled leaves were.

For now I'll just keep an eye on the spots and let you all know if they change.

Thanks!

[Jennyfleur]

Hmm, one of my paphs has a couple of spots like the one in the middle of yours. They don't seem to be doing any harm in terms of growth (or getting worse) but, like you, I have no idea why they developed. I thought perhaps it was a reaction to being misted so I've stopped that for the time being just to see.

[quiltergal]

Is the uneven texture you're talking about sort of pits and sunken "trails"? If so I get that on some of my Paphs when they aren't being kept moist enough. The dark spots could be from drops of water left on the leaves. They intensify light and leave little burnt marks.

[PaphMadMan]

I don't see anything wrong with your Paph. As a new purchase being recently moved and in a new environment I'm not surprised to see a few spots or brown leaf tips. Unless you see more of it developing don't worry about it. A little texture to the leaves isn't really unusual either.

Contrary to J&L's advice, if you are comfortable and succesful with Phals start out treating your Paph exactly the same way unless you grow your Phals unusually bright and dry. That's easier for you and the plant should adapt just fine. Keeping it too wet is your most likely mistake and a far bigger risk than being a little too dry.

[Olivia]

Well, it's been about two weeks and the spots haven't changed or gotten worse in any way. So I guess you were all right

I have started watering it a bit more (keeping it in line with my phals) and the textured parts of the leaves has become less prominent. They're not completely smooth but I no longer see the "trails" like quiltergal mentioned.

Thanks everyone... of course now the paph. bug has bitten and one is not going to be enough...