dead spots on phal leaves

[BigB]

Over the past few months this species Phal has been developing these weird dead spots. They are slowly spreading (big surprise). I grow it along side my other phals which are doing fine. Anyone know what it is and what I can do to make my plant healthy again?

[RosieC]

It's some sort of cell death but I have no idea the cause, so just giving you a bump

[BigB]

Thanks for the bump RosieC. At first I was afraid it might be a virus, but there is no streaking or deformation of the flowers. But for obvious reasons I would sure like to know what it is and how to fix it.

[Lagoon]

Hi there B

I wish I had some good news to chip into this thread but I don't . I've lost so many phals with this type of spotting -- atlease a dozen, never did find out what it was, never could cure it. The plant(s) would just loose it leaves then re:grow to do the same thing over again.

Not all leaves will show streaking if its viral. You won't know if it fact it is truly viral unless you test for it.

I'm sorry, I wish I had some better news for you.
Maybe someone else here at the OB will

[BigB]

Thanks for the news Gloria. Even if its bad news it's good to know I'm not the only one with this type of problem.

[Zoi2]

Any possibility it could be temperature related?
This site might be of interest and has some pretty good pictures and descriptions of damage. Orchid Environmental Damage
Joann

[BigB]

Thanks for the link. Lots of good info there. It looks a bit like what that site identifies as cold damage. The only trouble is it started when the plants were, if anything too hot (90+f). I will definitely watch to see if temperature is effecting the spread, though.

[CTB]

Maybe your water was too cold, hitting the hot leaves., that causes damage too. Thanks for the good website Zoi2.

[Wrebbitrocks]

i lost a miltoniopsis to something similar. somebody helped me identify it as erwinia(bacterial brown rot)...maybe it could be the same thing (?)

[Shirley]

Thanks for the site link, Joann. Very helpful.