Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi with black spots on leaves

[Tcc85]

Hello,

I have been struggling to keep this orchid happy for some years now. Remarkably it didn't gave up on me yet. I got it back in 2005 and it should hae been bigger, but due to the personal matters I wasn't taking care of it for 6 years. It was in the care of my sister in law and i finally got it back with only 2 miniscule leaves.

It's doing significantly better now but what's bogging me are the black dots on the leaves. The leaves start out fine, nice and light green, but seem to develop these spots later. It doesn't affect all leaves though. The spots are visible on the upper side as well as the underside of the leaf and seem to be more concentrated around the base of the leaf. Leaves are smooth to the touch.

Any ideas about their ID, origin?

20210115_123448 by Click-er, on Flickr

[Mr.Fakename]

Is it a var chattaladae?

If so I've seen a few of those with reddish spots. It might just be normal.

[estación seca]

What are your temperatures day/night?

[Orchidtinkerer]

Some people call them freckles.
I don't really like them myself but I haven't found out if they are a problem or not. One leaf I managed to practically eliminate the "problem" then the next leaf grew more freckled than ever before as you can see.

I thought it was a deficiency first, then it went away but then it came back stronger than ever so I thought maybe it was insect damage but I've seen lots of chattaladea with the freckles so I'm startnig to accept it is just genetic.

[Tcc85]

Hello all, thank you for your replies!

It is the regular cornu-cervi

Originally Posted by estación seca

What are your temperatures day/night?

In the winter the day the day temperatures are between 22 and 25 °C (72-77 °F), and it drops for a few degrees in the night, but never below 20 (68 °F).

In the summer, from 20-28 °C (68-82 °F) during the day, but the night can be somewhat cooler, down to 18 °C (64 °F).

---------- Post added at 06:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:14 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Orchidtinkerer

Some people call them freckles.
I don't really like them myself but I haven't found out if they are a problem or not. One leaf I managed to practically eliminate the "problem" then the next leaf grew more freckled than ever before as you can see.

I thought it was a deficiency first, then it went away but then it came back stronger than ever so I thought maybe it was insect damage but I've seen lots of chattaladea with the freckles so I'm startnig to accept it is just genetic.

Yes, it looks exactly like this! I like the idea of freckles, though. Was worried it might be some kind of fungal infection, but it didn't quite add up, so I decided to ask if someone has some similar experience...

[Orchidtinkerer]

I am still not sure I like them. I'd prefer one without the freckles
Mine is still young and hasn't flowered but it seems like a vigorous grower for a phal, producing good roots and so it seems in good health as I am sure yours is too.