Black marks on dracula
 

Hi guys,

I was wondering if anyone has faced this.

I have two dracula orchids growing in my highland tank: day temps...75-80F and night...55-65F. Humidity is sufficient as I have a mist king system and also a humidifier going for most of the day. I have highland nepenthes in the tank with thriving sphagnum moss. I noticed one of the orchids had scale on them..so I have been treating plants and getting it under control. But the other dracula doesn't have scale signs...but still has black marks on leaves. It grows alright... but old leaves get black marks on them. Clearly a fungus. But wanted to get a better idea.

here are pictures:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6...7394c1e4_b.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6036/6...8e93362a_b.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6...471286f6_b.jpg
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6044/6...97d3e175_b.jpg

more pics:

[img:left]http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6098/6416439863_1b55bfae11_z.jpg[/img]
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6...60f73003_b.jpg

thanks for your attention,

V

Do you hae any air circulation in your tank?
Joann

Yes! There is air circulation in the tank. i also vent in outside air at night to cool the tank.

Is it possible that the black spots are fungal due to the plant being wet when you vent outside air at night?
Joann

Hmm...maybe... I don't know...becos neps are fine with that. I didn't have issues with it. Hmm..I guess perhaps I have to let down on the misting at night.

I put my dracula outside late summer when the weather was cooler. For a period of several days, it rained continuously and the humidity was close to 100%. I noticed the appearance of similar-looking black marks on some of the leaves, but not as widespread as yours.

Perhaps try to keep the leaves dry by nightfall. Good luck!

Hmm....good to know. Every night my misters go off before the lights shut off. I do it because outside air can dry the plants...perhaps the combination of stagnant water on leaves and bitter cold is enough to cause this.

thanks for the help.

Btww....also asked this on another board....can dracula be mounted on cork? I grow lepanthes successfully *knocks wood* this way.