Virus? Combined diseases?

[Louder Than Hell]

Hello, I've got worried about my Phalaenopsis Mini Mark because after a year of vigorous growth and reflowering I've decided to mount her on cork.

After a while I've discovered the new growing leaf stopped although still very small. A new one started but the same thing happened again. Later 2 spike started and stopped while still small....again!
Meanwhile strange bumps developed on leafs (especially the bigger 2, others seems almost fine).

I suspect this ain't good at all, but I have no idea on what to do, especially because I couldn't find any clues on these bumps on the net.

The leaf end appearing yellow and black spotted seems fungal disease but it stopped some time ago so I hope the diseases ain't combining

The pics are in high quality so if you want to zoom just click one, then click on the magnifying glass and you can zoom in.







The plant is living in my terrarium, 60% humidity, 17-25°C (62-77°F), handsprayed almost every day

[RosieC]

I can't help as such, but I have seen similar marks on one of my phals. It's never spread further and the plant a year on is still healthy and happy (and is my most vigourous grower).

I don't think it's related to the reason for the small new leaves. I'm not sure what is happeing there. Hopefully someone else will be able to chime in with ideas.

[camille1585]

I've seen bumps like that too on some of my Phals, but never stopped to think about the cause since they never seem to be a problem. One thing I think of (but this is a personal and very much unresearched theory) is that the plant took up water too quickly at one point, causing cells under the surface to burst, leaving scars.

As for the small leaves, could be that the plant is simply not adjusting to life on a mount. Is it getting regular fertilizer?

Sure wish I could be of more help, but I'm as puzzled as you are. Just thought I'd put out some food for thought.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by camille1585

One thing I think of (but this is a personal and very much unresearched theory) is that the plant took up water too quickly at one point, causing cells under the surface to burst, leaving scars.

That has been my thought on it as well. I'm pretty sure someone else on OB suggested it to me once as being the cause.

[camille1585]

Rosie, your comment stirred something deep in my memory from something I read, somewhere (maybe here). The bumps are probably oedema. Looked it up again to double check : PP244/PP164: Physiological Disorders of Orchids: Oedema

It's caused when the roots absorb water faster than it's released by the leaves. If the Phal here was only placed in the terrarium after mounting then the plant suddenly started evaporating less water, leading to an imbalance.

[monna lisa]

Maybe your plant is a bit distressed by the sudden change of growing condition. I think it's only a matter of time and she will adapt to her new life.
Anyway, I don't know if It could help: I started having small leaves as one year ago I've changed the amount of light in my orchid case. When I've decreased back the number of hours of light, or put plants a bit lower in the case, the new leaves have become normal. Is your plant getting more light than before?

[Call_Me_Bob]

i have some of these

Physiological Disorders of Orchids: Oedema -- Figure 1. Phalaenopsis hybrid leaf with symptoms of oedema. Notice the numerous round spots scattered over the leaf surface. A close-up view can be seen in Figure 2.

on one of mine, doesnt seem to bother it, been there for a while now

[Louder Than Hell]

Thank you so much camille1585 and everybody
I was starting to loose any hope on understanding the problem!

Despite esthetically they doesn't look very similar I'm pretty sure edema is the answer, because there was too much sphagnum and roots were mostly developed in a bark pot.

Ciao monna lisa, do you mean HIGH light has been the cause of smaller leafs to you?
That's possible 'cause I've installed a new lamp, bit more powerful, and moved the plant closer to it
Also the plant is darker and developed reddish margins, compared to the moment i bought it (although as general rule i remember darker leafs means low light)


I've already reduced the sphagnum and I'll now try to move her further from the light.
I'm confident she's gonna be alright, is starting to develop a spike or a basal keiki (basal keiki seems to be the new trend in my terrarium....), maybe I'll cut any spike before is starting to grow decently.

Again, thank you so much everybody