Rust? Spider Mites?
 

This little Catt has been struggling for quite sometime. When I first got it, I unpotted it and removed all of the dead roots, which were practically all of them. I repotted it and crossed my fingers. About 2 weeks ago I decided to unpot it and take a look. I saw that it was finally growing some new ones . Now, on to my question: the leaves. They have not looked good since first I got it (a 'rescue plant'), but now they look even worse. While I was inspecting each of my orchids this morn., I accidentally knocked this little fella out of his pot. The roots looked slightly better, but the leaves looked worse. As you can see, one leaf is totally yellow and most of the others have problems. Mechanical? Diseased? After I repotted it AGAIN, I wiped two of the leaves (top and underneath) with a kleenex. There was some rusty looking 'dust' on it. I've had no experience with spider mites, so they may be the problem, but this rusty-reddish appearance didn't look as I would think a mite would look.....like I said, it looked more like 'rusty dust'. I would appreciate it if someone would take a look at the pictures and give me your opinion and advice, please.
Vicki

I think if it was spider mites you would know as it looks nothing like rust. I know nothing of catts so I'll leave it to someone else to help you. Nice seeing you though:)

Yes spider mites wiped off with a paper towel wold have been smeared and left a red stain that was kind of soaked into the paper from bug juice not just on the paper

Spider mites usually go after softer more grassy leaves, and eventually there is a little bit of webbing to be seen. Do you have a magnifying glass? Unless some of that rust has legs or is moving I'd say its probably not spider mites.

To me it doesn't look like spider damage, could be bark dust? I know media gets on my plants after a repot.

Just give it a good rinse down and see if the colour returns within a few days.
The catt looks very tired and drawn out, needs time to recoup.
I would pot it back up and give it some good strong lighting, just unpotting it will cause further stress.

Good luck :)

The plant does look very dehydrated, but the new roots look healthy. Get it potted again and secured so it doesn't wobble, and make sure it gets consistent water. Not too bright on the light till it plumps up a bit.

Swamper
 

Thanks Joe.

I hope you and your orchids are good.

Vicki

johnblagg
 

Thanks John!
I guess I didn't put as much thought into the problem as I should have, or else common sense would have told me that. Sometimes I wonder about myself. :shock: Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Vicki

PaphMadMan
 

That makes me feel better.....maybe I don't have Spider Mites afterall. Thanks!
Vicki

Lagoon
 

Ahhh! Gloria, I feel sure you're right about it being new bark dust! Thank goodness! I never thought about that! I feel pretty silly, but very relieved. I'll do as you advise.

Thanks,
Vicki