Brown pitted spots on Phals!

[fairtomidland]

Hi all! I need help. I posted this on FB a couple weeks ago and people were saying it was possibly mechanical damage and didn't have anything other than that, but it's been discovered on ANOTHER phal today.

I think I've had 4-5 Phals with this on NEW GROWTH only! I will attach photos. I am cutting the leaves off, the roots are healthy in these plants... I'm worried it's contagious because it keeps appearing. They don't turn yellow other than the first one in the photos.

What is this and what do I do? Thank you!

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board! We're better than Facebook because we won't ban you for writing differing opinions.

It looks like bacterial brown spot. Look it up on the pests and diseases page at the St Augustine Orchid Society Web page.

[Shadeflower]

Could be thrips. I say could be because generally they nibble on the outside of the leaf but especially at the base of the orchid where the roots emerge. If thrips are present this area will show necrotic areas, either brown, black or silvery.
the brown lesions do make me think it is thrips and as I recently learned there are over 50 different varieties, the onion thrips the vanda thrip, the orchid thrip, the european thrip, the american thrip etc each with different breeding and feeding behaviors.

[WaterWitchin]

My best guess: Looks like bacterial brown spot to me, but could be fungal. Using a bacterial spray treatment or bacterial/fungal treatment would likely be helpful. I've had good luck with bacterial brown spot cutting off the worst leaves, parts of leaves with just a bit of spot, or putting a cinnamon paste (bit of Elmer's glue mixed with cinnamon so it stays put) on the spot after spraying with rubbing alcohol. But that's just what I do.

Get some more air flow going, and when you water don't let water splash from plant to plant.

[fairtomidland]

Thank you all!!! I've cut off the infected leaves and increased air flow - something that I should have done a while ago! Hopefully this will take care of the problem!