Misting bad for Oncs and similiar orchids?
 

In my searching for info and advise about what could be the problem with my oncs and ondoto's, I came across a thread where posters were saying that they knew that misting oncidiums is not good, that it causes leaf spots. I had not been aware of this. I use RO distilled water in a hand sprayer and often mist my orchids, oncs as well as phals. Is this wrong? And the 'leaf spots' aren't like water marks, they're black, yellow, and spread. :roll:

Oncidiums have thin leaves that are more susceptible to leaf spotting fungus than some other orchids. Here, in South Florida, you seldom see an oncidium that doesn't have at least a few tiny brown spots on the leaves from leaf spotting fungus. This type of fungus does not kill the plant though. It just makes them a little less than perfect. Never the less I do get the leaves of my oncidum wet when I water the plants. But I do it early in the morning so the leaves are completely dry within a few hours. I also spray a fungicide once a month. Unfortunately oncidiums do like moisture so you need to balance between a healthy plant and trying to keep the leaves nice. Give the orchid good air movement and water early in the day so the leaves aren't wet through the night. Again, leaf spotting fungus doesn't kill orchids or even the leaves so I wouldn't worry too much about a few spots.

I mist all my orchids - the roots that is, and always in the morning. I find it encourages root growth....and a lot of green root tips.

I have to wet the back of the leaves of all my orchids when I use fertilizer weekly. I use paper towel to wipe only the sensitive leaves that easily bruise....the orchid plants that have thick robust leaves can dry off by itself.
There are a few that I have to soak and just let the roots wet but never the leaves.
*I have a couple of Bulbophyllum that I dont wet the spiking flowers or else it will blast.