Dendrobium phal. Leaves spots

[Nach_]

Hello, wanted to ask regarding my Dendrobium Phaleanopsis, as Im a bit worried something is going on...

I have had this plant for a while, bought it when blooming and everything was fine for 3 months (it lost its flowers but part of normal lifecycle). However, for the past month, I realized that some spots are appearing on the leaves. 2 leaves have already dropped (which could be normal, Ive been told), but the remaining leaves all look like the attached picture.

Root system look healthy and there is a new cane growing.

Any ideas?

Thanks a lot in advance!

[Dollythehun]

Has it been hot and dry? My dens can be thrip magnets when conditions are right. They cause silvering of the leaves and flowers. Just a thought.

[estación seca]

Or is it very humid there?

[Nach_]

Typically temperatures are high (28-30 celsius) and humidity always >50%. Tomorrow Ill try to take some close-in pictures in case it provides more evidence.

[Nach_]

I managed to take some Macro pictures that may provide more ability to identify what's going on. Looks some kind of red or white bug? or is it a fungus? I don't have much idea hehe.

Any help is super appreciated.

Thanks again!

[Dollythehun]

You have thrips.

[Nach_]

Taking a closer look (I manage to do a video), I saw the movement. Look more like spider mites (minuscule) than thrips to me. But for sure is 1 of the 2...

Any idea of what should I do? I feel doomed ((

[Dollythehun]

Your first two pictures looked like thrips to me. But, your video does look like mites. Start with washing your leaves with warm, soapy water and then look for a good (ideally systemic) insecticide/miticide. Apply as the label directs. I see you are not in the US so, I don't know what's available to you. You're not doomed, it happens to us all.

[Nach_]

Thanks a lot for the advice. I live in Jakarta where probably everything is available. The local seller recommended me Abamectin.

Any indications on how to apply this micticide and if afterwards I should also do a repotting?

Thanks again!

[Dollythehun]

I'm not sure if they can live in the medium. Look at the AOS website. They might have detailed info. I've been spraying mine weekly. Also poke around Motes Orchid website. He has information about them under March.

"The chief blot on the otherwise nearly ideal growing scenario of March is thrips. March is the month when we are asked most frequently “Why do my vanda flower spikes grow ½ inch and then die?” The answer, like the answer to so many problems with orchids in South Florida, is thrips. The hot dry weather of March favors thrips which are ubiquitous in our landscapes. The drought of March drives them from their homes in our lawns and shrubberies to seek the cool lush oasis of our orchid collections. Most orchidists recognize the symptoms of thrips on their flowers, :the silvered, sand blasted appearance and the withering of the flower parts. Many do not recognize the earlier symptoms which show up on the root tips of vandas and ascocendas as a pitted ring at the point where the green growing root tip is maturing into white. Left unchecked, this damage will cause the root tip to wither. When it re-starts growth, a brown ring remains. Orthene (acephate)is the chemical of choice for thrips because of its low toxicity and residual action. Knoxout and Malathion are recommended also by the Florida Department of Agriculture. A non-chemical solution is liquid dish soap applied at the rate of 2oz (6tbs) per gallon of water. Be sure to water the plants the day before applying soap and take care to drench the plants thoroughly, covering not only all the surfaces but penetrating into leaf axils and other nooks and crannies where the reclusive thrips loves to loiter. Root the thrips out of your collection and you will get the growing season off to a good start."

I use Bayer 3 in 1 when I can find it.