Leaves turning black and red

[NYCorchidman]

The web is not from the red spider mites. Simply too big and look different. Also, I don't see any red spider mite damage. Your assumption of garden spider or whatever the common small spiders work is probably correct.

The new growth looks fine so far, although it is too small now and you may see how things develop.

By the way, those dark (almost black or some coffee brown) coloring on certain parts on the pbs are also found on one of my catt. I hate to see them and I have no idea what they are. maybe it's just a cattleya thing.

I wish I knew what they are, but they seem harmless, at least in the last few months I've had mine.

[james mickelso]

The black sunken areas are brown spot similar to brown rot in phals but rarely fatal. It grows slowly and can be cut out of the leaf if you choose to and cinnamon can be used to seal the cut.

[mnguyen110]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

All the pbulbs here are spent and doing nothing more than giving up their stores of starch and sugar to the new growing buds. Whatever damage that is being caused them is of little consequence. The important parts of this plant are the new buds. One looks like it is growing very well. There is probably at least one under the dried sheath on that back pbulb in the latest picture. I would very carefully peel off that dried sheath material from it. Bugs of all sorts hide under there and cause damage to the newly developing bud which can't be fixed once the damage is done. There should also be some latent buds on the older pbulbs. When was this repotted? The red coloration could be viral or fungal. But there is little you could do for it at this point. It is already in the tissues. As long as the black areas stay small and don't grow any more let them be. Again the important part of this plant is the new growth. Twice a week seems a little too much to me. Where do you live and what has the weather been like? The red coloration as well as the black could be from too much water. And this plant also looks way over potted. It could be reduced in size by cutting off a couple of back bulbs which have little real value and then repotted into a smaller pot. I'd like to see the rootmass. I doubt there is much of value there from the looks of this plant. It wouldn't hurt it a bit at this point to take it out of the pot, take a bunch of pictures and then trim it and put it in sphagnum moss or bark. The back bulbs which are starting to take on a grayish light brownish coloration can be cut off.

Man, you are awesome! There is another new grow under the sheath.
I Live in socal and Repot was done right before I got this, about 3 months ago. I will depot and take picture once I get a chance.

[james mickelso]

This pot is also too big for this plant. Mainly too deep. The media in the lower center of the pot will stay wet far longer than the top and outside. That can cause the roots to stay too wet and deteriorate. Put in a couple of stakes along the inside of the pot, tie the outer couple of pbulbs to the stakes and then take out the top layer of bark from the pot. This will lower the level of the bark and allow the new buds that I am sure are there on the older pbulbs to see some light and initiate growth. At the base of most pbulbs are some dormant buds which will sprout if given some light and warmth. In this group I would bet there are at least 4-6 dormant buds that you could sprout. Where in SoCal are you located? OC or LA?

[mnguyen110]

Ok, will stake and take out top layer of bark. Im in the OC area.

[james mickelso]

There are some fabulous clubs up there. Hope you are a member of one of them. I'd love to see this orchid grow and bloom next season for you.

[mnguyen110]

I ended up repotting and putting a 2" layer of lava rocks at the bottom before adding the bark/leca mix. The roots were mostly in bad condition so I didn't bother taking pictures.



Thank you all for the advice.

[james mickelso]

Please keep us updated on the progress of your orchid. That is how we learn and how we help you. It is also how other newer members learn.