Leaf Questions? - Orchid Board

butterfly_muse · #1 03-15-2013, 10:05 PM

Hi guys! I was examining the leaves on a phal I inherited from a co-worker which I recently brought home and repotted after learning that she wasn't getting enough light on my desk at work :P

Her leaves used to be extremely dark green and have lightened pretty well the last week. She has a very young leaf that has basically popped straight up, and I noticed it has some purple/black on its underside. The top is nice and green, it's only the underside. Does this mean its getting too much sun? The rest of the leaves are nice and green and seem quite happy. I have read that some hybrid phals have pigmentation, as well as those with pink buds..I've never seen this girl bud. She was dyed blue when my co-worker had her, so I can only assume she's actually just white. Is this leaf okay?

Second question: Her very bottom leaf has bumps all over it (thankfully this is the only leaf that looks like this so far), and on top it looks like a little chunk has been eaten out of it. Is this scale? What should I do if it is scale? Can scale be transmitted to other plants? I have one other phal that I am trying to nurse back to health, and the orchids share a baker's rack with a couple African violets, a lavender plant and a couple begonias. Will all of my plants need some kind of treatment?

Help!

(Pictures attached!)

calypsoB · #2 03-15-2013, 10:18 PM

It looks as though it is getting it's high level of light. But it is also probably a plant that has some purple or fushia in it which makes that colouring more pronounced. Overall your plant looks healthy and I wouldn't change a thing

butterfly_muse · #3 03-15-2013, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calypsoB

It looks as though it is getting it's high level of light. But it is also probably a plant that has some purple or fushia in it which makes that colouring more pronounced. Overall your plant looks healthy and I wouldn't change a thing

What about the bumps on the base leaf?

SlipperGirl · #4 03-15-2013, 10:23 PM

the purple leaf is fine

here is a link that tells you how to take care of scale if that is what you have.

How to Cure Orchid Scale

butterfly_muse · #5 03-15-2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mothorchidgirl

the purple leaf is fine

I dont know what the bumps are they could be scale if they are I think you rub isopropyl alcohol on the orchid but dont know for sure

I have been researching scale and they don't really look like it. I held the flashlight up to the leaf and ran my thumb nail over them and they didn't come off. And they're almost..clear? Like the moisture inside of the leaf has raised up and made it lighter? It was almost like they would pop like a plant pimple, lol...but of chlorophyll. It's hard to explain and it's dark so I may not be able to get a better pic til morning.

SlipperGirl · #6 03-15-2013, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

I have been researching scale and they don't really look like it. I held the flashlight up to the leaf and ran my thumb nail over them and they didn't come off. And they're almost..clear? Like the moisture inside of the leaf has raised up and made it lighter? It's hard to explain and it's dark so I may not be able to get a better pic til morning.

I dont think its scale but sadly I dont know what it is sorry I could not be much help

calypsoB · #7 03-15-2013, 10:32 PM

Well I would keep an eye on them but it kind of looks like mechanical damage vs. pest damage. The thick vein to the left is normal too (enough not to worry).
If it is just at the top half of the left you could just cut it off if you think it is pathogenic.

butterfly_muse · #8 03-15-2013, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by calypsoB

Well I would keep an eye on them but it kind of looks like mechanical damage vs. pest damage. The thick vein to the left is normal too (enough not to worry).
If it is just at the top half of the left you could just cut it off if you think it is pathogenic.

I want to say I noticed this while it was on my desk at work and then forgot (I am only there 2 days a week during school) and then found it again today? Derp. I will keep an eye on it and see if it spreads. Does cutting a leaf damage it badly? Would I have to put fungicide on the cut after as well, I assume?

silken · #9 03-15-2013, 10:42 PM

It looks like edema. It can just be left as is. It won't hurt anything. I have pasted a comment about it from the St. Augustine Orchid Society site. There is lots of good info on pests and diseases there:

Edema
Symptoms: Excess water is absorbed by the roots quicker than it is lost by the leaves, causing swelling of plant cells and producing a blister-like lesion. Occurs when plants watered during warm days and the nights turn cool or during periods of cool weather when water quantity and/or frequency is not reduced.

Treatment: No treatment.

Prevention: Water early in the morning when nighttime temperatures drop below 65F. Reduce watering in the fall when plant growth slows.

butterfly_muse · #10 03-15-2013, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silken

It looks like edema. I have pasted a comment about it from the St. Augustine Orchid Society site. There is lots of good info on pests and diseases there:

Edema
Symptoms: Excess water is absorbed by the roots quicker than it is lost by the leaves, causing swelling of plant cells and producing a blister-like lesion. Occurs when plants watered during warm days and the nights turn cool or during periods of cool weather when water quantity and/or frequency is not reduced.

Treatment: No treatment.

Prevention: Water early in the morning when nighttime temperatures drop below 65F. Reduce watering in the fall when plant growth slows.

I was reading about that too while trying to research it. It's definitely possible. It was 65 degrees for a couple days and then plummeted back to the 40s here this week (I think our weather is PMSing). The plants are by a window so that would make sense.

Edit: Also the bark it's potted in is new so I was misting the aeril roots so..yes, that would make sense indeed. Thank you so much!