Laelia Anceps...spots on leaves, infected? - Orchid Board

jennr246 · #1 07-17-2016, 02:22 AM

I recently acquired this orchid (it is a laelia anceps and I’ve always wanted one)but I wasn’t really closely paying attention when I received it. After I got it home I really took a look at it and wondered if maybe there was something wrong with it because of the spots and such. It is a division of an fairly older awarded plant and so maybe it is because it is older? (I’m hoping) Or this orchid is kept outdoors at times maybe it could be from pests. I don’t want to infect other orchids if this one is in fact infected. Any opinions?

It wouldn't allow me to put an actual link for the pictures, but they are here:
imgur.com/a/wa2Dc

silken · #2 07-17-2016, 10:43 AM

That is probably just mechanical damage from being outside, or old. When you bring in new plants, its always a good idea to isolate them for at least a few weeks or a month to make sure nothing is in the media or on the leaves. I would just monitor it. If they are grown outdoors they can get spots and marks from all sorts of things.

estación seca · #3 07-17-2016, 11:22 AM

Welcome!

Laelia anceps is a very sturdy plant. You don't say where you live. It grows on oak trunks and branches, under the canopy, in bright dappled sun/shade. In a lot of the midwest and northeast US, and on the California coast, it does fine with full sun. It is fine with full morning sun through a window here in Phoenix so long as I have a fan on it to carry away the heat from the leaves. In habitat it gets 4 months of hot, very wet summer, with a cool-down at night. Winters are long and dry, with some dew. Winter days are warm and winter nights are very cool - jacket weather. They see occasional mild frost during the time it's very dry. It blooms in the fall just after the summer rains stop.

Bohata · #4 07-17-2016, 06:17 PM

Some kinds of orchids will get spots on the leaves when grown in proper light, including some cattleyas. It may also be true of relatives of Cattleya.

jennr246 · #5 08-19-2016, 10:45 PM

Thank you everyone for your replies! sorry I had forgotten to reply. I live in Pennsylvania, so right now I do have it outside for the great weather we're currently getting. It's growing new roots and looks to be doing just fine.

Fairorchids · #6 08-20-2016, 08:02 AM

As other posters have said, it is probably nothing to be worried about.
However, you have potted this plant too deep. The rhizome should be visible on the surface of the mix.

estación seca · #7 08-21-2016, 12:17 AM

It can be hard to pot a top-heavy Cattleya alliance plant with relatively few roots. One thing people have found useful is a rhizome clip. This is a piece of wire that stretches over the medium and clips to the edge of the pot. Even a rootless plant can have its rhizome right on top, as it would prefer, and be stable. If you search on rhizome clip you will find some ideas.