Fredclarkeara After Dark with almost translucent circles on leaves

[smortdumbbean]

Hi all, hope you're well.


As you can see from these pictures, something is going on with the leaves and I don't quite know what to do besides repotting it which I have done. In addition to spraying it with 50% rubbing alcohol which has also been recommended to me.

I have thoroughly tried to google the issue; however, I have not had any real success.

This is my first orchid, and I am currently freaking out a bit considering I never have had a bloom despite getting it in February last year.

To the best of my limited knowledge, I have been taking care of it correctly. This year, a new pseudobulb sprouted on one side - I believe another growth might follow at some point on the other.

My two questions are this:
1 - What, do you think, is going on?
2 - Is there anything I can do in order to save this orchid?

Thank you so much!

[Clawhammer]

That's what my leaves look like after being sucked on by a thrip.

[smortdumbbean]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

That's what my leaves look like after being sucked on by a thrip.

I agree, it does look like the issue -- thank you so much! I just have two more follow up questions:

1 - Would it make sense for a few spots to appear and then for it to multiply to what is seen now? Is this considered severe?

2 - How do I get rid of thrips?

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by smortdumbbean

I agree, it does look like the issue -- thank you so much! I just have two more follow up questions:

1 - Would it make sense for a few spots to appear and then for it to multiply to what is seen now? Is this considered severe?

Yes.

2 - How do I get rid of thrips?

They are very tricky. I have been battling them for over a year. Currently using spinosad (Conserve) and alternating with azamax in hopes of elimination. Spinosad used to do the trick but thrips have become more resistant. It is nice because you can spray flowers and it doesn't cause wilt.

Also, imidacloprid works for catasetum leaf munching thrips but wont work for cattleya. Imidacloprid wont concentrate in significant quantities in flowers to kill thrips, but it will in catasetum leaves.

They are tricky as they have multiple life stages, move between plants, and are good at hiding. I swear they are the smartest pest. They see me and they run for cover. They don't decimate my plants as I spray buds consistently, and they leave about 50% of my plants alone entirely. Just can't get rid of them.

[smortdumbbean]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

They are very tricky. I have been battling them for over a year. Currently using spinosad (Conserve) and alternating with azamax in hopes of elimination. Spinosad used to do the trick but thrips have become more resistant. It is nice because you can spray flowers and it doesn't cause wilt.

Also, imidacloprid works for catasetum leaf munching thrips but wont work for cattleya. Imidacloprid wont concentrate in significant quantities in flowers to kill thrips, but it will in catasetum leaves.

They are tricky as they have multiple life stages, move between plants, and are good at hiding. I swear they are the smartest pest. They see me and they run for cover. They don't decimate my plants as I spray buds consistently, and they leave about 50% of my plants alone entirely. Just can't get rid of them.

Thank you so much - I'll give it a shot! Have a good day.

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by smortdumbbean

Thank you so much - I'll give it a shot! Have a good day.

Try to get a visual ID before going out and buying Conserve (expensive!). You can see the adults, they are about 1 millimeter and are constantly moving when not hiding from you.

[Roberta]

Good luck with the thrips... try to get them knocked down before they go after the flowers. (THAT hurts...) A nice feature of Catasetinae... they lose their leaves in the fall, and reinvent themselves the next spring. So unlike most orchids, you don't have to look at ugly leaves for very long. (And don't get alarmed when the leaves start to look ratty in the late summer/early fall. That's just what they do, prior to dropping them as they go into dormancy...)