Phaelenopsis- Weird spots on leaves

[Pixelcatz]

So my hubby just bought me a phaelenopsis from Sam's club and I noticed these weird spots on the leaves. I've never owned an Orchid before and have always wanted one which is why he brought it home.

If someone can tell me what they are/how to treat them I'd really appreciate it!

[turock]

This looks like mechanical damage to me. My guess is that something rough pressed against the leaf, or something icky bit it. It doesn't look too worrying to me, and it appears that the damage is dry. Disease damage typically appears wet or bruised. Keep an eye on it and see if any more spots develop. If they do, look for bugs (or pets) which might be gnawing on the leaves.

---------- Post added at 08:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------

Another thought... I can't tell from the picture, but are the wounds sunken in, or are they kind of bumpy like pimples?

Bumps can mean the plant has an edema, which is where it takes in more water than it can use (typically by watering when it's dark or cloudy outside). If that's the case, it's not harmful and is nothing at all to be worried about. Just a flesh wound.

[Pixelcatz]

Thanks for the reply! Most of them are sunken but there are a couple that are like bumps. I just pulled it from the container and the bottom of the container had water in it so I let it drain a bit before putting it back in. Does this look healthy?? I'm not sure myself.

[turock]

You're welcome, and welcome to the forums! And, what a great husband, to get you an orchid. Can we see pix of the blooms, if it still has any?

It does look pretty healthy to me. The majority of the roots look nice and alive, although I can see a few dead roots in that pot, and one or two sticking out of the pot as well.

Considering you just got the plant, I'd suggest repotting it over the weekend. Phalaenopsis orchids, like this one, need fresh potting media every year or two, especially if the media has been wet for too long, which causes it to break down quickly. I doubt that this plant has been repotted for quite some time.

Do a search on this forum, or look on Youtube for some guides about how to repot the plant. I recommend MissOrchidGirl's Youtube channel, as she clearly explains the process in a way that beginners can understand.

Also, if you haven't already, be sure to check out this post in the forums to get some great tips and education about how best to care for your new 'chid. Good luck! I hope you have success and find a new calling as a crazy orchid gal!

[Pixelcatz]

Well I'm glad to hear this! My hubby is thankfully awesome like that!

I read online that they shouldn't be re-potted until after the blooms drop but if it won't hurt it then I'll definitely switch it out.

Thanks again and here is a picture of the blooms, I color corrected it to get it close to what it actually looks like darn cellphone washes everything out haha

[turock]

Oooiieee! That's very lovely!

There is a chance that some of the blooms will fall when you repot, especially if you're drastically changing up the plant's environment, like switching from sphagnum moss to bark. But, it looks like your plant has been in bark for a while, so it shouldn't be too drastic a change. You will find that the new medium will dry out quicker than the old did, so you may need to water a bit more frequently.

Be gentle, but don't be too worried. In the long run, keeping the plant healthy will mean plenty more blooms to come!

[Pixelcatz]

Alrighty well then I'll definitely get on it. I can live without it blooming so long as the plant stays alive for future flowers :3 Thanks again! Any recommendations on where to get substrate?

[turock]

I get a perfectly acceptable mix at Lowes. I believe it is called Better-Gro Phalaenopsis mix.

Lowes also sells sphagnum moss, if you can call it that... it's mostly grass with tiny bits of moss here and there. But, you can still add a thin layer of it to create a bit of humidity at the top of the potting medium. This is helpful if your growing area gets dried out by heaters during the Winter, or if you're trying to encourage new roots to sprout.

[wintergirl]

Here is a Lowe's link showing the bag of potting mix Turock was talking about. It is what I use too.
On the list from Lowe's it says Mix Soil, but there is really no soil in it and you don't want any. You can see the bag, it's a bark mixture.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_25321-1300-N...tt=orchid+bark

[Pixelcatz]

Many thanks to you both ^__^ I'll be heading to Lowes today!