Spots on new Cattleya spike??

[GinaStarSeed]

Hi. My Cattleya is finally about to bloom. I am so excited. Something weird going. The rest of the Cattleya leaves don't have any bacterial spots. It is actually one of the healthiest Orchids I have. However, today I noticed the new spike and spike leaves.. they are COVERED in spots.. just everywhere?!? What's going on???

[JScott]

That's not bacterial. That's nothing to worry about. Many Cattleyas get these spots on the new growths in high light conditions. As the growth ages, the spots will probably fade somewhat. Keep doing what you're doing; everything is fine.

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

A bacterial infection would be black or brown, while those spots are purple.

[GinaStarSeed]

Originally Posted by JScott

That's not bacterial. That's nothing to worry about. Many Cattleyas get these spots on the new growths in high light conditions. As the growth ages, the spots will probably fade somewhat. Keep doing what you're doing; everything is fine.

---------- Post added at 12:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:00 PM ----------

A bacterial infection would be black or brown, while those spots are purple.

OH Thank you!!! I am so relieved!!!

[Orchid Whisperer]

^ what JScott said.

Just pigmentation.

[JScott]

Originally Posted by GinaStarSeed

OH Thank you!!! I am so relieved!!!

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help Do you happen to grow this plant under artificial light? I have noticed that the Cattleyas I've got which tend to get these spots get them much more in the winter when my plants are under lights (4-bulb t5 fixtures) than they do in the summer when the plants are outside.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I love it when they get the spots.

[GinaStarSeed]

Originally Posted by JScott

You're welcome! I'm glad I could help Do you happen to grow this plant under artificial light? I have noticed that the Cattleyas I've got which tend to get these spots get them much more in the winter when my plants are under lights (4-bulb t5 fixtures) than they do in the summer when the plants are outside.

Yes mine has been under a 4 bulb LED T5 all winter

[rbarata]

When you get sun at the beach your skin gets tanned as a physiological response from your body to protect it against sun burns.
This is the same mechanism. While in humans the pigment responsible for the tanning is called melanin, in many plants (if not in all) it's called anthocyanin.

It means your Catt is getting the right amount of light.

Plus, I'm almost sure the flowers will have red/purple/pink coloration.