Miltassia - sickness??? - Orchid Board

TheNewGuy · #1 04-17-2008, 02:28 PM

I have a Miltassia C.M. Fitch 'Izumi' that I've posted about before in other places here and I think it might be sick...

It has these small round black spots, all about the same size, speckled across the underside, and a little bit on top, of most of the leaves.

Is this a disease or rot of some kind?

tuvoc · #2 04-17-2008, 06:37 PM

If you can, post some pics, so we get a better idea of what exactly it could be. Some orchids have spots on their leaves with no bad efects.

Kim

Ross · #3 04-17-2008, 06:46 PM

If they are tiny little spots, that's from misting the leaves. They don't like that. Cosmetic, at worst, but you can avoid by just not spraying the plants.

Shirley · #4 04-17-2008, 10:38 PM

I get these kind of spots on my Miltonias also, and I've wondered what kind of spraying causes them. What can be used for insects, e.g. spider mite, mealy bug, if the plants won't even tolerate misting? I've tried alcohol and also listerine so don't know what exactly is making the spots. Any suggestions?

TheNewGuy · #5 04-17-2008, 11:30 PM

I know that these guys don't like to be misted so I haven't done it. Here are the pictures though, It actually seems to be on only the older leaves, not so much on the new ones that are coming.

Oh, and can anyone tell me WHY it is growing at such a funny angle!!! It doesn't seem to be harming it but he sure looks ugly all skiwhompas like that...

Orchidophile · #6 04-18-2008, 02:49 AM

I mist my miltassia NOID and it doesn't have spots, I guess it's because I turn a fan on when I mist

mine is growing at an angle too, it likes to ramble.

Lagoon · #7 04-18-2008, 08:53 AM

It looks fairly normal to me, older leaves will turn yellow-yuckish and drop off. I see those small black spots on mine also. If the continue to grow in size, they're might be a problen.
I would keep the plant clean & spray for spider mites, just in case more maybe going on -- 1 teaspoon of mild dish soap to 1 QT of water, 3 sprays within 10 days.

The growth angle is probably the lighting direction, if you give it strong light from above it will help straighten the leaves out aswell as the new growth to come.

hth

TheNewGuy · #8 04-18-2008, 11:42 AM

Well, I can't rig up a light source up above, but I do have light through a southern window. I have him so that he is angled away from the window so maybe he will straighten out, like my other plants do.

I don't think it's spider mites because there isn't the normal pattern on the leaves. Maybe it's just cosmetic and I shouldn't worry about it...

Maybe too much direct light? idk...

TheNewGuy · #9 04-26-2008, 11:00 PM

I REALLY need someone to help me out with this guy!!!!!

Now his leaves are yellowing falling off!!!!! I'm like rather panicky about it...

It's not all the leaves though. It seems to be the ones that are on either side of the pseudobulbs, i think the ones from last years growth.

Is this normal? Should I be worried? HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!

gmdiaz · #10 04-26-2008, 11:13 PM

I am having a bit of trouble with mine too, nothing too serious, it's just not living up to it's best growing. . .here's my plan:

Remove from old pot and potting mixture. Soak in tub of MSU fertilizer and KLN for the roots. Clean up anything black and squishy. . .dust with cinnamon.

Repot in one of those plastic clear pots with cones in the middle for extra air circulation. I think you could go with a larger pot. Yours looks top heavy to me and tippy.

Charcoal or peanuts on the bottom and a good mix of larger bark, chopped sphag, and little rocks.

I don't mist either, but my understanding is that those spots are quite common in these intergenerics. Might be a bit too much light too, though. Mine doesn't have many spots.

Keep warmish and in a bright spot with lots of indirect sunlight and good air circulation. . .high humidity. And turn often. . .to keep it growing straighter.

My two cents.