Dark Splotches on Healthy Phal. What is it?

[Elena G]

I have exactly the same dark spots inside the leaves on my Vandas.I grow my Vandas in vase and it has good roots and blooms very well .

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Elena G

I have exactly the same dark spots inside the leaves on my Vandas. I grow my Vandas in vase and it has good roots and blooms very well.

Nice information!

Some orchids will exhibit dark, red, or purplish splotches, spots and/or that sort of colouring in leaves when the light is bright. This is assuming that the orchid doesn't have such features when grown under relatively lower levels of lighting.

Some people have observed that nutrient or element deficiency can also be linked to marks like that - not necessarily a bad condition - but just a reported/observed condition.

[Clawhammer]

Looks super healthy. My first thought was splotches from good lighting. That leaf would likely get the most light. I think separating and keeping an eye on it is good advice and due diligence.

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Just as a back-up precaution, you could spray/mist some mancozeb onto the leaves of this orchid. Also, if it's not a pathogen effect, then google these words too : "calcium and magnesium deficiency in orchids".

Thanks SouthPark. I use the Orchid Whisperer recipe for food: 1/4 t Better Grow orchid food, plus 15 drops of CalMag, and 20 drops seaweed extract per gallon. I am a heavy waterer -- could it be too much water? I have slacked off watering since the splotches appeared but it hasn't helped. I suppose I will just sit tight and see what happens. Splotches do not appear to be increasing. And I will get some mancozeb just for good measure. Thanks so much for your advice.

---------- Post added at 09:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:51 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Looks super healthy. My first thought was splotches from good lighting. That leaf would likely get the most light. I think separating and keeping an eye on it is good advice and due diligence.

Thanks, Clawhammer. That is what I am doing. The splotches are not increasing and the plant still looks healthy.

[SouthPark]

R.O.B.B --- great to hear that the patches aren't spreading!

Regarding the watering, and heavy-watering --- if your many other phals are being watered the same way, and they're all doing excellently, then it should be ok to keep watering this orchid, just as you have been doing for the other ones.