multi-issues-scale AND mites?

[Zep]

Hello, brand new here, you guys really seem to be very inclusive and helpful.

I am a VERY unknowledgeable beginner, and have a beautiful oncidium that has yellow… specs (?) on the surface of it's leaves. During the summer when the blooms were out, I had thought it was pollen, but since there are no flowers and the specs have reappeared I was obviously wrong

They don't move, but upon closer inspection it seems like the leaves are being damaged (the uneven coloration, thats chlorophyll loss, right?).

Honestly, it almost looks like I have every pest on the site when I look closely. Can anyone help identify and advise? I might have scale too. Geez, honestly otherwise its a big healthy plant!

[Zep]

Here are three views of my poor orchid's issues…

[WhiteRabbit]

do the specks come off?

[Zep]

Hi! Thanks for the reply!

The specs DO come off. I took the orchid into the tub last night and cleaned them off with a water/rubbing alcohol/peroxide mix like I had read around here. The specs really do look like pollen - a bit sticky but no sign of life.

[WhiteRabbit]

Hmm ... I hope someone can help clear up the mystery ...

[orchids44]

The center picture looks like white scale. It needs to be treated with an insecticide. It probably needs the "big guns" rather than just the rubbing alcohol treatment. I have had success with the Bayer imidacloprid products. Spray and drench method. Treat every 7 - 10 days for a total of 3 applications.
The other pictures look like ??? fungal. I would definitely start with the scale treatment and hopefully another OBer can give you some advice.
Good luck. Oncidiums are pretty resilient. Through much trial and error I have learned that the key to success for Onc's is lots and lots of air movement. I have 2 oscillating fans in my living room, 24/7 they're on. Full blast during the day and low at night. One of our Onc. experts in our Orchid Society experienced the most successful growers of Onc's. keeps their greenhouse fans sooooo high it blows hats off!!! Seriously.
Good luck and hang and hang in there

[silken]

The 3rd picture looks like possible mechanical damage either by being attacked by a cat or possible some pest chewing on it. It just looks like the leaf is dried and white But I can't tell for sure.

The other specks look rather small for scale, but I can't tell how large the leaf is in the photo. If they are round hard bumps that need to be scraped off, then it is a heavy infestation of scale. If that is the case, I agree, the systemic pesticide with imidacloprid is likely the best approach. Remove what you can first and then treat. They get into crotches of leaves and are very hard to get rid of.

[tucker85]

It's not often that insects attack the top side of the leaves. Has this orchid been indoors all the time or was it outdoors? It could be something falling from another plant or tree, especially since you say it's yellow. I agree with Silken, the third picture looks like mechanical damage to older leaves. I'm not convinced that you need an insecticide. I would wash both sides of each leaf with soap and water and wait to see if the problem returns. Good luck.

[lepetitmartien]

I'm not convinced either, but the pics are not close enough to appreciate what it is truly.

Pic 1-2 show something suspicious, but I can't tell if it's insects, acarians, or a fungus (or worse).
Pic 3 like silken, looks like there's been a mechanical damage…