Zygo issue - Orchid Board

littleflower · #1 06-09-2021, 09:12 PM

Repotted this Zygo advance Australia blue velvet in March, was gone for a few days, came back and it looks like this, dark spots all over. I grow in a grow room, grow lights on 12 hours a day, current humidity 80%, temperature 77*, Fan runs continuously

Roberta · #2 06-09-2021, 09:31 PM

Photo?

Shadeflower · #3 06-10-2021, 07:22 AM

that plant has dried out too much. No water + too much airflow during the hottest month of the year will dry them. They don't like to dry out.

Considering you were away and the plant was not getting watered would be the reason but it does look in a pretty weak state. It will be a long recovery and it is tempting to want to soak the orchid after but that can lead to just as much problems.
Don't overwater, or underwater. With regular watering this one will possibly will be able to recover but zygo's do not recovery very fast.

littleflower · #4 06-10-2021, 03:23 PM

Thanks so much for the response. It normally gets water twice a week, and I was only gone for 4 days. However, The problem may be a poor root system rather than watering. My question was about the spots on the leaves

Roberta · #5 06-10-2021, 03:36 PM

It looks like the sort of fungal issue that happens when water - especially cold water- sits on leaves. And Zygos tend to get ugly leaves anyway. I don't think that the black spots are worrisome. The dessicated condition of the plant is concerning, though... If the roots are bad, hopefully it will have the energy to grow new ones (and in the process, new and better-looking leaves) before it gives up. Suggest maybe some Kelpmax to help stimulate root growth. The humidity is plenty high.. in fact, at that level, if it got cool at night (so that the humidity was higher, of course) might have been the source of the spots.

littleflower · #6 06-10-2021, 04:17 PM

Thank you Roberta’

katsucats · #7 06-14-2021, 04:47 AM

My Zygopetalum mackayi developed large, black spots recently. It had large, black spots when I bought it, but then the new leaves came out clear, and now it has it again. I think being too hot and dry during the day might have caused it. Mine has plenty of roots and never gets water on the leaves.

Shadeflower · #8 06-14-2021, 07:10 AM

new spots is always a bit worrying but it might be sunburn? It's very hot at the moment.
small spots are less worrying than big spots. Maybe treat the spot with a fungicide or weak HP solution.

Usually the heat will cause stress, and its the weakened state of the plant that makes it susceptible to infections. Not that I'm doing any good with mine, they are always in a weak state lol

katsucats · #9 06-14-2021, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadeflower

new spots is always a bit worrying but it might be sunburn? It's very hot at the moment.
small spots are less worrying than big spots. Maybe treat the spot with a fungicide or weak HP solution.

Usually the heat will cause stress, and its the weakened state of the plant that makes it susceptible to infections. Not that I'm doing any good with mine, they are always in a weak state lol

It's not a fungus (or at least not one that could be treated, and doesn't spread to other plants). It's a known issue with Zygos, they are just prone to having ugly splotches under stress.

Shadeflower · #10 06-14-2021, 03:22 PM

Nah, I disagree that it is a known issue. I agree most zygo's come with horrible leaves from the shops and then keep these leaves for several years but I do not agree that they are known to develop spots, that's just a myth at best due to so many people having spotty zygo's but that's like me saying all teenagers are known to have an acne problem. Spots happen in non sterile environments where these spot causing spores are able to spread. That's all there is to it.

It is easy to import these spores in the growing media when buying new plants and if it is not discarded will carry on spreading spores. Keeping things sterile is vitally important when trying to eliminate black spots.