Nutrient deficiency?

[PaphLover]

1. Is this a nutrient deficiency on a Phrag. Incan Treasure or something else? It is in an East facing window that gets direct morning light up to about noon. Too much light?

2. Does this look like spider mite/false spider mite damage on my Paph. Chiu Hua Dancer? Or is it something more menacing? (fungal) (photos 2&3)

Thanks!

[Ray]

I vote "mites" on the paph, but that phrag leaf pattern is new to me.

I frankly doubt it's a nutritional issue though, as those symptoms are usually seen in the newest growth, not old.

[PaphLover]

Thanks Ray!!! Yeah, those mites have done a number on my collection. It's been quite disheartening. Trying a new home remedy with mineral oil. Fingers crossed!

[Orchid Whisperer]

The Phrag photo could be magnesium deficiency. The mottling could remain on the leaves for years after deficiency happened.

[Ray]

I've seen a mag deficiency result in pale leaves, but never rounded spots, and a single dose of Epsom salts can reverse it...

[PaphLover]

Plant is in semi-hydro. I repotted today in something bigger to check roots and fix an algae issue (maybe that was using all the fertilizer or preventing roots from up taking.) I now have it inside a decorative container pot to prevent more algae growth.

I give orchids 1tbsp epsom salts in 4 litres water once every month with nothing else. I'm also trying to flush once a month with just distilled water to remove excess fertilizer buildup (I am a self-confessed over feeder.)

One day I will figure out how to feed weakly weekly.

I did run out of MSU fertilizer and have just been using up the Schultz orchid food I've had on hand for years.

[Ray]

That has nothing to do with fertilizer.

I know I'm mixing units, but for convenience, I recommend about 75-100 ppm N applied in a week and feed at every watering, flooding it each time.

That means that if you feed 3x/week, use 25 ppm N; twice a week, 50, etc.

2.3/%N on the label gives the ml of fertilizer to add to a liter of water for 25 ppm N. The conversion is 2/%N for teaspoons/gallon.

[PaphLover]

Well, not that you needed proof, Ray, but you were right.

Found a few that were moving on some seedlings. Sprayed them under kitchen faucet to remove as many as possible, then applied oil concoction. On rest of plants that I've sprayed, the mineral oil seems to be working (Miss Orchid Girl's recipe). There were some dead bodies, but none moving.

UGH! I'm itchy now.