Phal Newbie - Help!

[Mango2007]

I am a proud owner of two phallus (a white one and a purple one). I am new to the plant world and have been making sure to heed all the advice about not overwatering my orchids and to make sure they are not overfertilized. And to make sure they recieve bright indirect sun with proper air circulation. Whew!


My problem is with my white phal. Its petals are getting weird, bright, green spots on them. The spots are no bigger than a marker point.

Also the underside of the leaves have chew marks. The orchid came this way. The marks look like they are healing but they are still there. I think I saw a small, translucent-like bug crawling around in the phal's soil a couple weeks prior.


Any suggestions on how to help the phal? See images attached.


Thanks very much

[Carpe Diem]

Sorry, can't help you, still a newbie myself. However, there is one thing I can help you with - the plural of Phalaenopsis is still Phalaenopsis.

[Mango2007]

Ha ha! Duly noted!!! Stupid autocorrect feature on the iPhone. Truly a "smart phone" :P

[Carpe Diem]

Isn't technology wonderful! Had a good chuckle. Are the 2 Phal's your only orchids? If so, let me warn you - it all starts with 1 or 2 phal's and then you're hooked! I'm sure someone will diagnose your problem and also provide you with the treatment.

[Bud]

heres what works for me:

10 drops dish liquid(any kind)
1/2 teaspoon cinammon extract(you can find this in any supermarket aisle with vanilla and almond extracts..I got the McCormick brand)
2cups tepid water (hot water in the sink will do=but make sure not too hot)

put it in a spritzer and pray the whole plant and the rest put it in a basin and soak the pot to kill bug eggs for 5 min
repeat after a week

do not water the plant while this treatment is in progress...

you have bugs(mealies=google it and learn)

It will follow with fungi infestation because the saliva of this bugs attracts fungi(white cottony or spiderweb-like textures)
Hopefully not...
but if you see them ...run the leaves through running water and make sure it is all clean, dry it with papertowel make sure the crown is dry=never leave it wet and wipe with cotton soaked in listerine(the original) ...

[Bud]

wait...you have two phallus??!! thats scary!

also check under the leaf if its watery or syrupy...because it might be mites...and that mix will also work on them
wipe the leaves clean before spraying with the mix

crown=margin where the root and the leaf begin
mind this is always dy...it might get root rot and your plant will have greater problems

increase room air circulation = small electric fan

read Phalaenopsis culture and find a regimen that will work for you

Good Luck and Welcome to the Forum!