Weird leaves

[Chiral224]

Hi all,

I'm new to orchids and have two gorgeous Phals I picked up at a local florist. They've been doing really well for the two weeks they've been here. They are in bloom and I've had each one open a new bloom (very exciting!!). I have noticed in the last few days that the leaves on one has developed light green small patches on the underside...looks mottled or a pattern like dried water spots. Also, both of them have what look like white scars developing on the top side of the leaves. Like someone took a razor blade and made a small (3-5 mm) nick in the leaf which on some goes right through the leaf. there are also a couple of small ones on the back side. They are raised up. They also occur on the edges. Also, something looks like its chewed off parts of the edges which have turned black. it also seems on one that the entire edges of the leaves are turning yellow.
I'm real sorry I dont have photos!! My camera and phone have died!

Thanks for any help...as soon as I get a hold of a camera I will take photos!

[Zoi2]

Hi Chiral224 and welcome to the OB.
Have you checked the roots? What kind of medium is the phal planted in? How often are you watering and what is your humidity level?
Joann

[Chiral224]

Thanks! So glad you guys are here

Ok the roots are grey and shiney (not slimy). They look healthy to me (not sure what they should look like!). The medium ( I really need to do a lot of reading), looks like a fern moss (??). They are on the dry side. Planning to water tommorrow morning. The flowers are big and healthy, but I noticed the new ones have 'indents' and one of the bigger ones that is about to open has indents...
I could be getting parnoid...but to me they should be dent/scratch/hole free.
I'm not sure on the humidity, but I do run a humidifier by them on and off. They do take a shower with me, and there is a fan always running in the room (not on them). The temp in the room could be warmer...but I'm not to sure how to do that. They sit in front of a south window in the day.
They sit in a plastic container with that pretty plastic and cloth wrap around them. I mist the plastic wrap with distilled water during the day for extra humidity.
I do bring in cut flowers often, could I bring in bugs that way? They had healthy leaves when I got them....

[Bulbophile]

I hate to say this without seeing pictures but it sounds like you have thrips. I'm doing battle with these tiny buggers myself. You should check out the leaves and see if you can see any shiny almost silver spotting. Also what color are the flowers? A good way to test for them it to put a small dish next to the plant with a couple of drops of yellow food coloring, a little sugar, with a couple of drops of dish detergent. Then check it the next day see if you see and tiny bugs drowned in it.... And I mean tiny!!!

Thrips are very common and there is tons of different kinds, they can be extremely resilient and adapt quickly to some pesticides.

[Chiral224]

thrips? Just great
I dont have food coloring, but will yellow paper with sugary dish detergent? The flowers are the same color, but not 'happy'. Wilty and something is injuring them before they open. The also have what look like little holes in them.

I gave the plants an alcohol/soap bath yesterday. My one plant is starting to wilt, the flowers that have bloomed since are smaller and are not opening fully. the leaves are starting to go soft and limp. I'm wondering if it has some root rot. I watered it last week (it was really dry throughout), but its in a moss only medium. it still has lots of blooms to go, but I dont want it to die either!

If it is thrips, what do I do???

[Bulbophile]

Do you have any curry powder or turmeric? You can use them instead of yellow food coloring.
It kinda sounds like you have a lot different issues going on at once. you should really try and put some pictures up.

If it's thrips you use a pesticide or you make a soapy wash and change the media. Most thrips are the size of this comma, and thats the adults. The larvae are yellowish and tiny and usually on the undersides of the leaves.

[Bulbophile]

Originally Posted by Chiral224

They sit in a plastic container with that pretty plastic and cloth wrap around them. I mist the plastic wrap with distilled water during the day for extra humidity.

What kind of plastic wrap?

[Chiral224]

Originally Posted by Bulbophile

What kind of plastic wrap?

Oh, they have not been in the plastic wrap for a while. Just plastic pots with holes in the bottom. One has a few rocks in the bottom, the other is pure moss. I've tried to loosen the moss to allow some air low and hopefully not rot the roots. I do wish I had a camera. I'll see what I can work out because something is eating these guys!

I have madras curry powder? I'm not a cook, so dont have much in the way of spices (except cinnamon!)

[Bulbophile]

Originally Posted by Chiral224

I have madras curry powder? I'm not a cook, so dont have much in the way of spices (except cinnamon!)

Sprinkle a little of the curry powder in water, it should turn it a nice yellow color. if it does add a little sugar and a little soap, it'll attract most pests. and then you can identify what you are dealing with.

[camille1585]

It may be thrips, or it might not. Could you post some pictures please? At this point we are just guessing what the problem may be!