Damage on new leaf - Orchid Board

beckky · #1 09-15-2023, 07:43 PM

Hello, good evening! I am new here and I am looking forward to learn how to care for my orchids with your help 😊 I am not new at having orchids, I had them in the past, but these are really giving me a hard time.
I would like to know your opinion about this one. I bought it earlier this year, in full bloom and it stayed like that until May. It looked great and healthy. In the meantime I moved, and the problems started. I was super excited to see a new leaf growing, but at the same time I noticed a bumpy texture on some leaves as well as in the new leaf. Right now the bumpy texture improved (edema?) but the poor leaf looks terrible. I took some photos to a nursery but they couldn't help me to identify what was wrong.
If you could give my any hints I would be super thankful 💕

Roberta · #2 09-15-2023, 07:55 PM

First, Welcome!

It looks to me a lot like mechanical damage - perhaps just as the new leaf was emerging it got bumped (or something took a bite) Probably not a systemic issue, that leaf may look ugly but hopefully the growth point (crown) wasn't damaged. If the crown is OK, the next leaf should be OK.

estación seca · #3 09-15-2023, 07:58 PM

Welcome!

While the new leaf was developing something toxic may have dropped into the crown and caused a small zone of damage. It could have been water too hot or too cold, a pest treatment that was too strong, or perhaps fertilizer mixed incorrectly.

beckky · #4 09-15-2023, 08:12 PM

Thank you so much for your replies!
I don't recall anything physical or toxic that could have damaged it, but at some point that orchid had some insects/pests (friendly or not, I don't know) in the potting mix that I took care of by changing it to a new potting mix.
Could it be sun damaged? I had to change their location as they were getting some direct afternoon sun (between 5 and 8pm).
It's been a lot of trial and error since moving to our new house, before she was living hapilly in a sunny bathroom.

Roberta · #5 09-15-2023, 08:27 PM

Sun damage is possible. If that's what happened, there will be no problem going forward, just will look a bit ugly. A new environment definitely involves some trial and error. And lots of observation. As the seasons change, the sun position will change, so you will probably need to keep adjusting. It is a whole new learning experience.