Phalenopsis with weird spotting under leaves

[sweta]

Hello all,

I bought this phal from trader joes about 1.5 years ago then repotted it after blooms fell off. Since then it lost all of its roots except 1 shriveled root and hasnt grown even one single new root. It grew 1 new leaf last year and recently started giving out 2 secondary spikes. I noticed weird reddish brown spotting on the stem and under the leaves and I'm not sure what it is. And wondering if I should be isolating the plant. I apply fertilizer once every 2 weeks and temperatures in our house are between 67F. I would appreciate if you there are any suggestions on how to treat the plant if its a disease or should i just toss out the plant? I'm worried if this could spread to other healthy plants

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Just out of curiosity, what color are the blooms? The spotting looks normal to me. If the blooms are on the red or purple side, this could just be anthocyanin (sp?) showing in the leaves. But let's see what others have to say.

[rbarata]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Just out of curiosity, what color are the blooms? The spotting looks normal to me. If the blooms are on the red or purple side, this could just be anthocyanin (sp?) showing in the leaves. But let's see what others have to say.

That's what I was thinking too.

[Roberta]

Spotting looks normal to me too. The lower leaves look rather dehydrated - which happens with lack of roots. Have you repotted it? If so, it just needs time to recover, with new root growth. Fertilizer isn't useful if it has no roots since it has no way to take it up. But orchids don't need much anyway. The important thing is to get the watering right - Phals need "humid air" rather than "wet" in the root zone. So you need the mix to be very open and well-drained.

[sweta]

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

Just out of curiosity, what color are the blooms? The spotting looks normal to me. If the blooms are on the red or purple side, this could just be anthocyanin (sp?) showing in the leaves. But let's see what others have to say.

You are right that the bloom are dark pink colored. Even i thought it could be anthocyanin thats why I never bothered. Earlier those spot were not so distinctly visible but these days I'm looking at my orchids carefully as weather is getting warmer and pest activity is more. Also this one has been struggling to put out any new roots for past 1.5 yrs so I'm just worried its not some kind of fungalnor bacterial disease like phyllosticta. I'm attaching picture of blooms when I bought it from the store

[sweta]

Originally Posted by rbarata

That's what I was thinking too.

@rbarata Hopefully it is anthocyanin, blooms are dark pink colored

---------- Post added at 01:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Spotting looks normal to me too. The lower leaves look rather dehydrated - which happens with lack of roots. Have you repotted it? If so, it just needs time to recover, with new root growth. Fertilizer isn't useful if it has no roots since it has no way to take it up. But orchids don't need much anyway. The important thing is to get the watering right - Phals need "humid air" rather than "wet" in the root zone. So you need the mix to be very open and well-drained.

You are right that the leaves are dehydrated as it lost most of its roots after I repotted it once the blooms fell off. Lots of dead roots that attracted lots of fungus gnats so I've had to change the soil 2 twice. First time I repotted it with just orchiata bark but the media was drying out way too fast and top of that lost most of its roots. Tried dynagro to promote root production and also tried putting a layer of besgrow sphag moss on the top so himidity could promote new roots. Nonenof those methods worked. Had to repot it again as there were too many dead roots and fungus gnats. 2nd time I repotted with mix of sphagnus moss and bark. This one has been a tough cookie, gave me a hard time and I never came across an orchid that just wouldnt produce even 1 new root in1.5 yrs. I'm very excited that it started giving out secondary spike

---------- Post added at 01:40 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:39 AM ----------

Thank you all for your responses hopefully there is nothing to worry about the weird spots.