Holes in Phalaenopsis

[kate887]

I've had my Phalaenopsis for well over 7 months and its been doing just great! However, recently my orchid developed some pretty nasty holes. They are only on one leaf, the others are just fine.
Here's a photo of the leaf: http://twitpic.com/11fnj6
I am not sure what to do. Should I purchase pesticides? Should I tear off that leaf?
I had a new roommate move in a few months ago, and she put her orchid on the table next to mine. Hers had some smaller holes when she brought it, but nothing like the holes I have now. I am not sure if this is related?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Kate

[OrchidSue]

To me it looks like some kind of mechanical damage. Could the leaf have been banged, or the plant dropped? Are there any pets around-dogs, cats, birds, rodents (pet or not)? Did your roommate bring in a pet? It looks like it got munched by something. If not, then it could be something like snails or other chewing type critter.

Susan

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Perhaps snails? I'd check for snails or slugs.

[RosieC]

It looks to me like it's been chewed by a critter.

[trdyl]

Welcome to OB!

I would not remove the leaf. Deffinately check for critters like all have said.

[kate887]

No pets of any kind....
Both plants are always kept inside, too. But you're saying its a critter? Should I get insecticide, or am I jumping the gun with this? It's only those few spots on that one leaf.

[kate887]

I inspected both plants and neither of them have any snails, slugs, or other critters that I can see.

I don't think my plant could have been dropped. I certainly didn't move it and I doubt my roommate did.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Some snails are tiny. They're easy to miss. By tiny I mean they're only a couple of millimeters in diameter.

Other possibilities are cockroaches or crickets.

Basically, I think something ate it. This doesn't just sporadically happen.

[RosieC]

I would agree. Those leaves have definately been nibbled by something.

As King said snails can be tiny. There is a type of snail which seems especially attracted to orchids which are really really tiny and difficult to spot.

You mentioned that your roommates orchid also has the same marks and it is likely to be the same thing. It may be a critter which was not even present on your plant when you looked, but is somewhere about munching both.

[BikerDoc5968]

Weevils can do this kind of damage. They usually come out at night. They can eat tons before you know what has hit you.... err the plant. No need to remove the leave but I would use a systemic pesticide that contains Imidacloprid (Merit). Many of the Bayer products contain this specific pesticide. You can purchase it at any of the big box stores as a concentrate liquid and safely spray the plant and water the media with it.