Identifying source of problem on orchid leaves

[theaton]

Hi all - we have two orchid plants that have developed problems on their leaves. Sort of brown leathery spots. I have read a number of websites and it’s hard to tell if it’s a bacterial problem due to water splashing, or too much light/heat. Anyone have a hunch what is causing the spots?
Thanks!
Newbie orchid owner

[DeaC]

Hello. What I'm focused on is the last foto as all the leaves look soft, leathery and doing poorly. I'd unpot and check roots and media. What are your growing conditions?

[Roberta]

The dark blotches look like sunburn. And I agree with DeaC, the soft leaves are a sign of dehydration - which can happen if the roots are rotten so that the plant can't take up water.

[camille1585]

I second Roberta's assessment; the spots look like sunburn and the leaves are very dehydrated.

I would repot it as it seems to be in one of those flimsy plastic pots with just one drainage hole. Combined with what seems to be pure sphagnum, I'm going to guess that the roots are in poor shape. If the roots are good, then it will need more frequent/better watering than it is getting now. How are you watering it?

[SADE2020]

Agree with Roberta. It looks like need a report inspection urgently, probably roots no getting enough of what they need or already damage.

[estación seca]

What are your growing conditions? Day/night temperatures? Humidity? What kind of light? How are you watering? How long have you had it? Have you ever repotted it?

[theaton]

Thanks everyone - we live in brooklyn and the plants are in a very sunny foyer that is south/southeast facing. I didn’t think they were getting much direct sun but perhaps the intensity of the indirect sun and the heat are too much (no A/C) in the foyer. Hubby waters them once a week and fertilizes periodically according to some online guidance he read on frequency, Amount and application.
Back into the darker office they will go. I will def repot using proper bark based medium (not the damp spongy stuff) and will watch videos on how to identify and remove the dead/rotting roots. And will revisit watering schedule. Fingers crossed they recover with time. Thanks again to all.

[Roberta]

Sun can be very sneaky... I had the experience of seeing the evidence of hot spots in my greenhouse but couldn't figure out how since I couldn't see anything. One day, I happened to be in there about 10 AM on a bright morning, and caught the sun sneaking under a vent (so it was one small spot not protected by the coating on the roof) It lasted only for about 5 minutes so it was pure luck to find it. Most of the time,at that time of morning there's overcast so there was no problem and at other times was either above or below the vent opening. It was just an unlucky convergence of factors - warm enough to open the vent,sun at just the right level to hit the vent, bright enough to make a hot spot.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by theaton

Thanks everyone - we live in brooklyn and the plants are in a very sunny foyer that is south/southeast facing. I didn’t think they were getting much direct sun but perhaps the intensity of the indirect sun and the heat are too much (no A/C) in the foyer. Hubby waters them once a week and fertilizes periodically according to some online guidance he read on frequency, Amount and application.
Back into the darker office they will go. I will def repot using proper bark based medium (not the damp spongy stuff) and will watch videos on how to identify and remove the dead/rotting roots. And will revisit watering schedule. Fingers crossed they recover with time. Thanks again to all.

Not that I'm partial to this site, but there is so much misinformation on the web about orchid care, I would suggest you get your care information from these fine folks. Some are professional growers and many have years of experience which they are more than willing to share. They may not all agree on the fine points, but overall, the knowledge base is very good.
Good growing!