White Stripes/Marks On Leaves

[hodgesml]

Good afternoon,
My orchid has started to develop white stripes/marks only on the top of leaves. I has still flowered. I would also appreciate knowing what type it is as it was given to me.
Any help appreciated.

[Roberta]

First, welcome to the Orchid Board!

The flowers look like it might be Dendrobium kingianum (or hybrid of it). Photo not very clear. I suspect sunburn (the middle photo has a small brown patch that definitely looks like that, the bleached appearance of the rest of the leaves would make me suspect that they got very close to toasting. These like bright light, but it may have gotten too hot. Also, I can't tell for sure, but it looks quite dry. You are in springtime, this is the time for these to grow so they do need water (but not soggy... they do need to dry out a bit between waterings)

[hodgesml]

Thanks Roberta I really appreciate the response and information. Watering wise I am definitely under watering which I can correct. The sunburn comment is interesting as they have not been in direct sunlight and they reside in Australia where we have only just gone into spring so its not been that warm. However I will move them and water more and see what happens. Really do appreciate the information.
Martin

[Shadowmagic]

Roberta is saying sun damage.

I will tip on spider mite damage but the picture is too small for me to tell for sure.

If it is spider mites then you will be able to see some crawling on the underside of a leaf if you inspect it closely. Spider mites are about half a mm in size but you can see them moving around a little.

Let us know if you find anything

[Ray]

My first two thoughts were sun and mites, as well. Can't tell from those distant photos.

[hodgesml]

Thank you to everyone who responded. Definitely no mites so let’s go with sun. Have moved them so they only get dappled sunlight.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by hodgesml

Thank you to everyone who responded. Definitely no mites so let’s go with sun. Have moved them so they only get dappled sunlight.

Sun especially in early spring can easily burn plants because the sun abruptly clears obstacles (like houses, fences, etc) so that areas that have had shade suddenly get blasted. (Orchids that can handle strong sun once acclimated can still burn if they aren't introduced to it gradually. ) I speak from experience... I have toasted plenty of leaves right around the vernal equinox. The plants recover, no worries there, though leaves look ugly until they drop. If I'm right about the type (Den. kingianum or relative), this one may lose those damaged leaves, but no harm, will readily produce new growth even from leafless pseudobulbs.