OMG; Diagnosed thrip problem
 

What can be used to eliminate and control the situation. My phal leaves had these silver looking areas on the underneaths of some leaves and i was wondering what the hell it was. Well now after some google searches I now know it is thrips. I have done insecticide sprays and I have dabbed on cinnamon, but I'm not sure that has killed them, but maaaybe it has prevent it spreading faster. I honestly don't know.
Will wiping the leaves with Methylated spirits work?
Need some help & suggestions asap!. Thanks

I know of someone here who has a thrip problem and he was advised to use a systemic such as Merit. The active ingredient is imadocloprid (spelling may be wrong). Apparently the Bayer 3 in 1 stuff that can be found in the U.S. also uses that chemical. good luck!

Can you show a picture of the thrip affected areas? I'm wondering if I might have thrips on one of mine!!! I've been fighting this for almost a year and while it hasn't spread I haven't solved it either!

Sure thing Paul, give me 15 mins. I will go take a pic and post it. I also found out via pics through this link
Insect and Arthropod Pest Identi
I have managed to control somewhat. But I am afraid of it spreading as my phals all have new leaf growth & new keikis with tender leaves etc.

Thanks for the quick reply Silken....I can always depend on it! :)
Well i am kind of pissed as I know for sure i saw the Bayer sprays when I was at home depot when i was up at my home in Boca Raton. I was gonna buy it but didnt need it really at the time. I have not seen them at the plant stores and large hardware stores here in Jamaica though. :(

Maybe as in Canada, we don't see the Bayer, but we can get the Merit at an agricultural/seed and feed type store although we bought ours in a very large amount in order to have it. Our society bought it and then we divide it into small containers for members to buy. Sorry, I can't think of anything else except I find Malathion kills just about all bugs on contact which used once a week for several weeks might work or at least keep them better under control.

You may have thrips as well, but what you are describing sounds more like mite damage. You can check for mites by running a clean white cloth across the underside of the leaves. If it shows orange smears on the cloth you have mites. Mites are arachnids, so they aren't affected by many insecticides. I use 2 oz of dish soap per gallon of water and soak all of my orchids, paying special attention to the undersides and bases of the leaves.

If it is in fact thrips, Orthene is a good systemic. Thrips are always poking around, it's just a matter of whether they're preferring your landscape or your orchids at any given time. I try to keep my collection dosed with Orthene during the dry season, when they thrips start looking for refuge amongst my orchids, which are getting more water than the landscape.

Okie dokie....I will check those out if they are available at the agriculture/farm store or plant stores.

If it is spider mite, the systemic won't work although I find Malathion works well and is listed for mites. The imidacloprid systemic can even encourage mites as it wipes out many of their predators. So be sure what it is you are treating first.

Damn it man. They spread to the new forming leaf too. No wonder only one of the two seemed only to be growing. Its like the other of the two leaves the phal is sending out has stopped growing. :(