Masdevallia leaf issue

[orchidsbybryan]

Curious if anyone can offer advice on what these spots might be on my Masdevallia leaves. I thought originally that this is heat stress? I attached a photo for reference.

It appears on on Masdevallias so I think it may be an issue with my conditions and this type of orchid.

I have good airflow (several fans) and about 70-90 percent humidity with the temperature 63-75 degrees with hot days reaching 80 very infrequently.

Thank you for your advice, folks!

[Dalachin]

I don’t grow any masdevallias, but that looks like false spider mite damage, some species of the genuses Brevipalpus or Tenuipalpus. They are tiny and you can’t see them without magnification but if you swab the underside of a leaf with a white tissue they appear as a rusty powder. You can spray the leaves with soapy water or isopropyl alcohol, which cuts down the numbers. Air circulation and/or increasing the humidity will also help, but it sounds like you have that covered. There are stronger miticides but I haven’t tried them. If you have them on multiple plants there are predatory mites you can try.

PS it’s a beauty!

[My Green Pets]

depending on the species those temperatures may still be too high, some of these plants need night temperatures into the mid 50s or lower. if it is mites, you should be able to figure it out using the above mentioned wipe method or if you have a microscope you can look closely at them. good luck!

[RJSquirrel]

good luck!!