I think this is cold or heat damage – what do you guys think? Is it a disease?

[astrid]

Hey everyone!

I saw this adorable phalaenopsis in Trader Joe's today for $9 and I had to have it!! The blooms are just so cute and cheerful and the plant has some major air roots growing and several viable roots in the pot.

Of course, by "pot" I mean "plastic sphagnum condom" but whatever. I am less scared of sphagnum than I was a year ago and I'll just repot later on after the blooms are done.

However, looking at the leaf, I see these depressed brown spots. I feel a bit worried that it's more than just heat/cold damage. The other one like this had a whole leaf that was brown and gross looking, so I avoided getting it.

What do you think? PICTURES BELOW!!
Also, does anyone have an ID?

[tarev]

I'd say observe a little more..if it does not spread, it maybe just mechanical damage during handling of the plant and maybe some minor fungal rot during improper watering wherever it was before.

Check the media and roots too in case there are some hitchikers there.

[snowflake311]

Sunburn. Maybe some water was on the leaf and it was in direct sunlight for a little bit. I burt my spider orchids really bad in the car after I bought it. The sun damage shows up really fast. sometimes within a half hour. At first it looks like yours then over time it get crispy.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by snowflake311

Sunburn. Maybe some water was on the leaf and it was in direct sunlight for a little bit. I burt my spider orchids really bad in the car after I bought it. The sun damage shows up really fast. sometimes within a half hour. At first it looks like yours then over time it get crispy.

Yeah, I have a sunburned phal and it happened in literally 2 or 3 hours. But if I sunburn in 30 minutes, I am sure many other organisms might also!!

---------- Post added at 07:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by tarev

I'd say observe a little more..if it does not spread, it maybe just mechanical damage during handling of the plant and maybe some minor fungal rot during improper watering wherever it was before.

Check the media and roots too in case there are some hitchikers there.

It's pretty tight in sphagnum moss. I am just gonna leave it that way until it is done blooming, but the roots all look good and otherwise the plant seems healthy. I hope this isn't a disease because dammit this is orchid is precious!!!