Dark spots on Mtssa pbulb plus some dark under leaves
 

A few weeks ago I got an mtssa shelob okika division at a society auction. It seems healthy overall and has a new growth (no roots on that yet) that seems to be doing well. I have seen it grow noticeably during the time I’ve had it.

All pbulbs are firm, but two of the older 3 have a few small black spots on them. 2-3 mm at most. And some of the older leaves have some minor darkening underneath the leaves. None of the dark rubs off or seems soft or mushy. I put some cinnamon on the largest (maybe 4mm) spot and left the rest alone.

These are some of my first orchids with pbulbs and I don’t know if this is a concern.

Photos show pbulb with spots, leaves with dark undersides, leaf with a bit of general damage, and the plant in general good health and with a new growth.

If the black spots don’t spread or grow are they a concern?

Thanks for the help and all the great advice in the past.

Interesting plant. No experience with it. I'd have to google same as you, and it wouldn't get us far, right?

My first question would be... I presume you just moved it to S/H? It doesn't look "alarming" at this point.

I got it just over 2 weeks ago in moss that was wetter and more broken down than I like. So I moved it to S/H, figuring the roots were already used to moisture. At the same time I washed the leaves and pbulbs with the 409/alcohol insecticidal wash just in case.

It already had the spots at that time. They are not new since I got the plant. Not much has changed other than the new plant growth continuing to expand rapidly. That seems happy.

This is a variegated leaf, with a light border on each leaf. I don’t know if the variation in color on the bottoms is normal, but I am guessing not. And it only appears on the older leaves. I’m guessing it is old age, but that’s only a guess.

If it had just been that I wouldn’t have posted. My concern was mainly with the smallish black spots on the pbulb. They have a small indented center. They look like the plant equivalent to (but dark) of a horsefly bite.

As mentioned I put cinnamon on the largest and left the rest alone while I get advice.

Some of my out door orchids get black spots like yours. I think it’s fungal and spread by splashing water. It’s more of a problem when the weather gets cold. If I protect them from water on the leaves and pseudobulbs during cold weather, there’s less of it. It seems mainly cosmetic. I don’t have issues with it indoors where I’m less apt to get water on the leaves or pseudobulbs. I’d be inclined to take a wait and see approach with your plant and try to keep the leaves a pseudobulbs dry. I have a NOID Shelob look alike and it’s a pretty tough vigorous plant.

I found the flowers interesting and really like variegated plants. Hoping that I can give it the conditions it needs.