Hi Everyone,
I am new to the forums and rather new to orchids. I started off with a few Phalaenopsis and each thrived so I wanted to try some other varieties. I started off with an Oncidium twinkle 'red fantasy' and a Dendrochilum 'magnum' which I am slowly killing. Can anyone provide any advise for me and pintpoint what I think are diseases?
Oncidium twinkle 'red fantasy'
At first I thought the water was being caught in the bulbs like a bowl and I believe rot began setting in. I have since added a fan which I think is keeping it OK. The bulbs look like they have recovered and just have unattractive scar tissue. However, just recently, little black spots with yellow rings are appearing on the leaves and one leaf has already succumbed. Any ideas what these spots are? There is some hope for this one since there is new growth.
Dendrochilum magnum - To be honest, I have no idea how to care for this plant. It just sits there doing nothing except lose leaves. I lost three leaves already and the rest are crinkly. Will the lost ones grow back from the bulb? The roots appear to fine so I don't think over watering is the issue. The bulbs seem to be in decent plump shape so I think under watering isn't the issue either. There also seems to be a black area on one of the leafs too. Any idea what this black area is? Unrelated question, can you cut the spikes after the flower bloomed?
My general treatment for both the spots, the black area, and the rot was to get a fungicide and a fan to create airflow. I also pulled them out and made sure root rot wasn't the cause. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If you need better pictures I can take more.
Pictures are in photobucket album below.
Orchid Diseases pictures by Speedracer1084 - Photobucket