Rust? Spider Mites?

[VickiC]

This little Catt has been struggling for quite sometime. When I first got it, I unpotted it and removed all of the dead roots, which were practically all of them. I repotted it and crossed my fingers. About 2 weeks ago I decided to unpot it and take a look. I saw that it was finally growing some new ones . Now, on to my question: the leaves. They have not looked good since first I got it (a 'rescue plant'), but now they look even worse. While I was inspecting each of my orchids this morn., I accidentally knocked this little fella out of his pot. The roots looked slightly better, but the leaves looked worse. As you can see, one leaf is totally yellow and most of the others have problems. Mechanical? Diseased? After I repotted it AGAIN, I wiped two of the leaves (top and underneath) with a kleenex. There was some rusty looking 'dust' on it. I've had no experience with spider mites, so they may be the problem, but this rusty-reddish appearance didn't look as I would think a mite would look.....like I said, it looked more like 'rusty dust'. I would appreciate it if someone would take a look at the pictures and give me your opinion and advice, please.
Vicki

[Swamper]

I think if it was spider mites you would know as it looks nothing like rust. I know nothing of catts so I'll leave it to someone else to help you. Nice seeing you though

[VickiC]

Thanks Joe.

I hope you and your orchids are good.

Vicki

Originally Posted by Swamper

I think if it was spider mites you would know as it looks nothing like rust. I know nothing of catts so I'll leave it to someone else to help you. Nice seeing you though

[johnblagg]

Yes spider mites wiped off with a paper towel wold have been smeared and left a red stain that was kind of soaked into the paper from bug juice not just on the paper

[VickiC]

Thanks John!
I guess I didn't put as much thought into the problem as I should have, or else common sense would have told me that. Sometimes I wonder about myself. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Vicki

Originally Posted by johnblagg

Yes spider mites wiped off with a paper towel wold have been smeared and left a red stain that was kind of soaked into the paper from bug juice not just on the paper

[PaphMadMan]

Spider mites usually go after softer more grassy leaves, and eventually there is a little bit of webbing to be seen. Do you have a magnifying glass? Unless some of that rust has legs or is moving I'd say its probably not spider mites.

[VickiC]

That makes me feel better.....maybe I don't have Spider Mites afterall. Thanks!
Vicki

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Spider mites usually go after softer more grassy leaves, and eventually there is a little bit of webbing to be seen. Do you have a magnifying glass? Unless some of that rust has legs or is moving I'd say its probably not spider mites.

[VickiC]

I forgot to answer your question about the magnifying glass. I'm using my husband's old Army issue 'jewelers loupe'. Part of it is in this picture.
Thanks again for your help!
Vicki

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

Spider mites usually go after softer more grassy leaves, and eventually there is a little bit of webbing to be seen. Do you have a magnifying glass? Unless some of that rust has legs or is moving I'd say its probably not spider mites.

[Lagoon]

Hi Vicki

If something is not sitting right with you, then its a good idea to check it out -- better safe then sorry. Besides I've been thru the same thing with spahgnum moss - ever see that stuff dried up on a leaf? looks like funky lice

[VickiC]

Gloria, you're funny. I can imagine that dried sphagnum moss would indeed look like mites on a leaf, so I see that I'm not the only one who makes this type of mistake. Whew.

I will certainly ask if I'm suspicious about something, though.

Thanks for the encouragement.....and of course, the help!

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Hi Vicki

If something is not sitting right with you, then its a good idea to check it out -- better safe then sorry. Besides I've been thru the same thing with spahgnum moss - ever see that stuff dried up on a leaf? looks like funky lice