Rusty Looking Spots on Paph.

[RandomGemini]

Aww crap!! Dangit!! I really liked this paph!

Thanks James. You are awesome, as always, and have spared my orchid collection from some insanity. I've been misting the top of the medium so I can get away with watering less frequently. I think I will just mix some moss in from now on. Crap.

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[RandomGemini]

I just did some inspection, I have two plants with this disease and am going to have to toss both. So, farewell Paph Kiwi Charm and Masdevallia Veitchiana. I'm so bummed. I thought I was being careful and keeping the water off of the leaves. It's clear that I wasn't. Lesson learned.

[james mickelso]

Now don't be too hasty. This virus is localized and can be controlled to some extent by cutting off the leaf at the base with a sterile instrument (single use razor blade). Keep it away from your other plants for now and see if it develops any further. I say this because I battle virus all the time with rescued plants. Here is Blc Magic of Mishima "Volcano Queen" that I rescued as a specimen plant. It had areas of fungus and virus and did heroic battle with them. I have won to some extent. At times I get beautiful blooms out of the divisions and sometimes it reappears. Here is a current bloom off the worst of the lot. As long as I don't get any leaves wet on any of my orchids I have been able to bring most of them back to bloom beautifully. But if you don't have time or the patience to battle, them toss them. I just always hate tossing something alive. If you have a tree out in the yard you can mount it there and just cover it with straw and burlap for the winter and that will keep it alive through the winter.

[RandomGemini]

It wasn't localized on the paph. A closer look in sunlight revealed spots all over the plant.

I'll try to save the masdevallia but it seems to be pretty far gone. It has new growth without issues though, so that may be a good sign.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by RandomGemini

Yeah, well... it's looking like all I really need to do, is set this plant outside for a few days. According to the AOS website, the best thing to do for these smaller mites is to put the plant outdoors and let the natural predators of these mites out there populate the pot. We've had temps in the high 80s and 90s though and I'm not sure this paph would tolerate those temps... so my next option is Bayer Rose and Flower.

I'm thinking that since I've already got two plants with fungal infections and I'm spraying them down with Physan, I might as well make a party out of it. LOL!

I do not think leaving your paph outdoor with that temperature range is a good thing.
The heat will definitely stress the plant out, which weakens the plant further.
Also, waiting for those predator mites to come find your paph and take care of the problem is almost like sitting under an apple tree with mouth open.

Mites thrive under hot and heat environment in general.
Washing leaves on the back side might help decrease the population for short term, but I think mites persist unless they are hit by big guns.

Now, we don't know what the problem is exactly.

So I would first cut off that affected part of the leaf, which should take care of the problem usually, then use 3 in 1 type spray and see if the same cymptom recurs.