Deformed new leaves! How to cure it?

[dbeltran76]

Hello everyone, I am quite new with orchids. We have currently seven. At least four of them have gradually developed the same problem. The new leaves appear small, with brownish-yellowish stains (around the edges), and if they grow, they do so deformed and full of some sort of scars. Any idea what it may be and how to treat it? Other than that, the orchids are doing really well, and they all flowered nicely. Thanks!

[Ray]

Too arid of an environment?

[dbeltran76]

don't think so. We live in Budapest, Hungary, where humidity is not particularly low, plus I water them regularly and they don't look dry

[MrHappyRotter]

Why not give us detailed information about your care routine, and your cultural conditions? This way we're not left playing 20 questions, and can at least make some educated guesses at what may be going on.

How do you water? How often do you water? Do you water on a schedule? What's your water quality like? Do you use water softeners? What's your water source? How do you feed? What kind of fertilizer do you use? What's your feeding rate? Tell us about your growing temperatures. Do they fluctuate through the year? Do they fluctuate through the day? Do you use a fan or other means to increase air flow? What's the humidity level? Does it fluctuate through the day/month/year? What's your potting mix? How often do you repot? When did you last repot? Is the potting mix in good shape? Does this issue with the leaves happen over a long time period? Did it just start happening? How long has it been going on? Do you spray for pests? Do you spray for disease? If so, what pests / diseases? What chemicals do you use? How often do you treat? What are the light levels like? What light sources? Can you provide specific light readings? Do these change through the year? Does that correlate with the issues you're having? Are there kids or pets near your plants? Do the plants go outside, ever? If so when? How long have you had these plants? Where did you get them from? Are you doing anything special to the crown (center of the plant) where the leaves emerge?

I know it sounds like a lot of questions, but it's not really possible to accurately help with limited information and a lot of folks that might be able to help aren't likely to check in to your post to read your responses and reply multiple times so it's best to be as detailed as you can if you really want the best chance at getting answers.

[Dollythehun]

These are, of course, valid, important questions. Four of the plants are affected. I have a greenhouse window with many phals in it. One if them has the same leaves as the OP's. Same conditions, different reaction, and it is a blooming fool, hardly ever out if spike. It will be interesting to follow this thread.

[Mountaineer370]

Welcome to the board!

Originally Posted by dbeltran76

don't think so. We live in Budapest, Hungary, where humidity is not particularly low, plus I water them regularly and they don't look dry

Ah, okay. I think some of us may have been thrown by the fact you are displaying the flag of Spain next to your name.

[dbeltran76]

Hello everyone again. Lest see if with a bit more information, anyone can find out what it is

How do you water? I submerge the pots in water up to just below the rim of the pot

How often do you water? Do you water on a schedule? Once per week (Sundays)

What's your water quality like? Do you use water softeners? What's your water source? The water is from the tap. I believe water in Budapest is quite good, but no idea about its quality/composition/pH. I don't use any water softener.

How do you feed? What kind of fertilizer do you use? What's your feeding rate? Guano fertilizer (liquid) once every two weeks

Tell us about your growing temperatures. Do they fluctuate through the year? Do they fluctuate through the day? Yes, they fluctuate all year, but not greatly, as they are in the living room, so we try to keep a pleasant temperature for ourselves. The won't go under 15 degrees in winter and not over 28 in Summer.

Do you use a fan or other means to increase air flow? No

What's the humidity level? Does it fluctuate through the day/month/year? No idea about the humidity level. According to google, the air humidity is much higher in summer than in winter. The annual average water vapour content is 7.4 g/m3 (0.0074 oz/cu ft) at a hydrostatic pressure of 7.3 millimetres (0.29 in). This is obviously outside, so I guess it won't translate precisely to the same values inside.

What's your potting mix? The one that came with the plants when we bought them about 1-1.5 years ago

How often do you repot? When did you last repot? I haven't reppoted yet.

Is the potting mix in good shape? Looks like

Does this issue with the leaves happen over a long time period? Did it just start happening? How long has it been going on? I started noticing about 3 months ago, maybe longer

Do you spray for pests? Do you spray for disease? If so, what pests / diseases? What chemicals do you use? How often do you treat? No treatment yet. I'm trying to find out first what the problem may be

What are the light levels like? What light sources? Can you provide specific light readings? Do these change through the year? Does that correlate with the issues you're having? Natural light (plenty and not direct), which changes throughout the year due to the season.

Are there kids or pets near your plants? No

Do the plants go outside, ever? If so when? No

How long have you had these plants? 1-1.5 years

Where did you get them from? A big shop for gardening (OBI)

Are you doing anything special to the crown (center of the plant) where the leaves emerge? No

[dounoharm]

I was going to ask if you had cats...looks like cats rubbing against them and nibbling....but, water quality is second on my list...the brown look to the top roots, they should be white, and the 'hard' appearance to the leaves. check your water hardness...here in texas, I had to get RO water....try using bottled drinking water for a couple months....gl

[estación seca]

There might be small insects hiding in the center of the plant. Look for mealy bugs and scale.