prince ed of york rescue with spider mites?

[NeoOrchid]

Hello:

I received this sad little rescue from the Internet yesterday (during the blizzard no less) and it is really in terrible shape. Potentially a beautiful Prince Edward of York phal, it is covered in large brown blotches and rust spots that I fear may be from spider mites (of which I have never experienced either problem)

I have placed this plant in a small pot of moss and it is isolated.
I've been recommended to mix 2tsp cooking oil, 2 tsp soap, 1 gal water and spray leaves 2-3 weeks

Please fellow orchid lovers, help me fix this little fellow! I take great pleasure in caring for rescues (for some reason- must be my rn nature)
Thanx!

Neo

[Lady Tottington]

I can't offer anything by way of technical experience or advise, but I can say poor thing! I hope it responds and rewards you and ends up being a beautiful specimen that you can tell us lovely stories about!

[Call_Me_Bob]

are you positive its a phal?> the leaves too like a paph... good luck

[Call_Me_Bob]

google brought me no luck for a prince edward of york phal... but there is a paph named such... Paph. Prince Edward of York: Orchids By Hausermann

[silken]

I think you are correct help. It looks like a Paph. to me and OrchidWiz shows only a Paph. with that name.

[Call_Me_Bob]

thought so... either way it doesnt look healthy. i dont know a thing about paphs, so i cant help you any more than that though

[silken]

NeoOrchid, it likely can't hurt the plant to spray it with your oil/soap mix every week or two. Have you inspected it and actually see any insects? How are the roots? Since it is likely a Paph. the roots will look somewhat different from a Phal. The roots will likely be brownish and a bit fuzzy but should be firm. Paphs usually like a fine fir bark.

[phearamedusa]

Ok, speaking from my experiences with spider mites, that is most definitely not the type of damage they do. To me that looks more like damage caused by freezing/ too cold condition for the plant(brown blotches close to leaf tips in this case). Spider mite damage tends to look like lots of little golden pin sized dots. If you have a really bad infestation, you will see webbing and if you mist the plant may even spot some of the little nasties in the webs.

I don't grow Paph's, I have unfortunately killed every one I've bought so far. But you might want to contact John Doherty @ Zephyrus orchids, he pretty much only grows them now, since his move to Toronto area. I think he's even got a spot on the site with pictures of some common problems that can occur. It might help, and can't hurt, except for maybe your pocketbook if you see something you like there.
Sorry, for the long post too.

[NeoOrchid]

Duh-head me!!!! YES IT is a PAPH not a phal! DOH and DOH!!! Boy is my face ever red! I did inspect this little plant and have not seen insects as of yet; the roots are very small and not well developed. I emailed the seller of this paph rescue and she stated the roots are "underdeveloped" . Sorry for the misidentification, but thank you all very much for your help and suggestions. Man I love these darned plants!!

[silken]

I have heard and also from my own experience that Paphs will quite often have less root mass than orchids that have large fleshy roots like Phals and Catts. As long as it has some firm healthy roots, it will likely hold on. If there are no signs of bugs, maybe you just need to grow some healthy new leaves. For me at least, that is usually a slow process, but it will be rewarding! Good luck with it.