small black dots on blooms

[jrodpad]

I'm a bit embarrassed to post this - but I went away for the weekend and when I returned the house had a few dozen flies buzzing around. Gross! Something must have spoiled and given the heat in the Northeast, the little buggers didn't waste any time.

After a few rounds with the flyswatter and some well placed sticky-paper, there are no more flies. But I did notice that a few of my phal blooms and a phrag bloom have little black dots on them about the size of a period printed in 12pt font. When I tried to scrape them off with a finger nail, I had success about 2/3 of the time. Could these be from the flies? If so, what the heck are they? If not, what the heck are they!

Love to know your thoughts.

As always, thanks!

- J

[Eyebabe]

Gosh you have me stumped
Botris is a fungus that will cause speckling of blooms but I am not aware that it can be "picked off" the bloom.
In fact, I'm pretty sure it can't.
Thus, you have to wonder is this some kind of insect egg or excrement?
Sorry I can't be more helpful

[Dirtdigger]

While the black spots might be "fly specks" there is a good possibility that it is Botrytis or gray mold. If it was the flies no worries as fly specks do pop off. Sometimes so do Botrytis spots but Botrytis will leave some residue behind or leave a discolored spot.

Botrytis likes still air, humidity and temperatures in the 50s and 60s. A home closed up while you are gone for a few days can provide this environment.

Providing a little more airflow or a warmer spot can frequently eliminate the problem. Humidity increasing in the home when closed up can cause Botrytis outbreaks.

I hope this information will be of some help to you.

John

[Izzie]

Good replies here- fly poop or botrytis. Keep an eye out.

[Ray]

Botrytis won't come off with careful rubbing.

Oxalis seeds a possibility? When their seed pods burst, the little black dot seeds can be spread over a wide area.

[Dirtdigger]

I have found that normally you can't get Botrytis spots off and if you try you get a mess. But I have had occasion where I could pop a spot loss. All of never came and usually there was a black circular edge left around the areas where the spot was. The area that was under the spot always had a translucent look about it. Very different but Botrytis it was.

John

The most consistent thing about life is its inconsistency.

[Dirtdigger]

I have found that normally you can't get Botrytis spots off and if you try you get a mess. But I have had occasion where I could pop a spot loss. All of never came and usually there was a black circular edge left around the areas where the spot was. The area that was under the spot always had a translucent look about it. Very different but Botrytis it was.

John

The most consistent thing about life is its inconsistency.

[jrodpad]

Interesting comments guys - thanks for the info. I don't think it's Botrytis as they did (mostly) come off and the plants are otherwise good looking and healthy. The black dots really are on the surface, they're not necrotic and sunk into the petal. Also - thank goodness, they haven't spread.

Ray - awesome guess, I have a giant oxalis growing in the same area. How you were able to divine that is an absolute mystery. I didn't notice any seed pods - but it gets far less attention from me than the orchids do, so it very well could've shot seed out all over the place. I'm going to check today when I get home. I'd much rather it be seeds than fly dirt (yuck) or Botrytis (worse).

I'll be sure to post back if that's what it was.

Thanks again.

-J

[Izzie]

Ray's pretty amazing that way.