What could this be?! - Orchid Board

(..._...) · #1 07-14-2008, 10:48 PM

Hi

My Odcm. Tiger Crow 'Golden Girl' has developed strange marking on the leaves. I have it in contact with all my other oncidium (and other orchids too)-- but none of them show signs of this. If it were a pest, I would assume the leaves of other plants that are actually touching this odcm would show signs as well.

You can see that the plant is healthy from my other two pics, and is producing new roots and developing its new pseudobulb. At first I thought that it could be too much light, but then I realised that one of the leaves affected new gets bright light, and is covered by another plants' leaf.

Also, there seems to be slightly yellow blotches on the new growth of the plant, although this could be due to the bright light that this portion of the plant recieves.

Thanks

Cam

note: That is NOT rot where the new pseudobulb is developing--the edges of the leaf is just drying a bit as it is stretching.. I think-- anyways, its not rot, and not the same brown markings as on the leaves

Becky15349 · #2 07-14-2008, 10:58 PM

That sure looks like mechanical damage to me...any housecats there in your home? Anything that might want to chew on a plant leaf? Also, it may just be a bit of sunburn...or who knows what....frankly, oncid alliance plants are known for not having the most beautiful foliage. They can get sunspots on their strappy leaves in about 5 seconds. If I were you, I'd watch the plant and if you see any other major changes (crown rot, entire leaf die-back) then I would be concerned. Check under the leaves and inspect the plant at night (when insects are most active) and see if you see anything...let us know how it goes

good luck!!

gixrj18 · #3 07-14-2008, 11:25 PM

The tiny light spots on the leaves look like scale damage, the dark spots may be extensive scale damage....or fungus. Some spots are somewhat normal, as long as it doesn't keep progressing. Keep a close eye on it...if it spreads, hit it with copper fungicide. Also, I would give the plant a good "scale inspection", and treat if necessary. I'm currently battling scale, myself.

(..._...) · #4 07-14-2008, 11:59 PM

hmm well I have always had a bit of scale-- but nothing serious.. just one or two crusty things every once and a while and thats it. I have all my orchids in one location, and very close to each other. I would assume scale would have this effect on my other oncidium type plants, but it does not.

It had little or no spots on june 25th, when I took a picture of it...

Hmm I don't know if I can find copper fungacide here... would another regular fungacide work?

gixrj18 · #5 07-15-2008, 07:16 AM

Scale seem to be kind of funny. Some of the plants I have, that they are on, are the only ones in their area that have them....and most of my plants are touching. If they multiply to greater numbers, I have seen them take out 4' plants with no problem. They seem to really like the plants with thinner leaves, especially my Phaius plants. I get copper at Home Depot, so you may be able to find it at your average hardware store....it is good for drying out existing fungus. Good luck!

Lagoon · #6 07-15-2008, 08:12 AM

It's fungus. Cam, try some safers defender. it's a sulphur fungicide They have it in the already spray mix or the larger bulk size you mix up yourself. You should be able to get just about anywhere, even rona hardware.
Spray up both sides of the leaves couple times per week. Until these spots go light in color.

G'Luck

(..._...) · #7 07-15-2008, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

It's fungus. Cam, try some safers defender. it's a sulphur fungicide They have it in the already spray mix or the larger bulk size you mix up yourself. You should be able to get just about anywhere, even rona hardware.
Spray up both sides of the leaves couple times per week. Until these spots go light in color.

G'Luck

Oh thank you!! You're an orchid saver Gloria

. I know that product! I saw it the other day at Wal Mart. And I can use the as- is/ pre-mixed stuff full stregnth? Im assuming that if a little bit touches the roots they will be okay, right?

Also, can the fungus spread? as in one plant to the next?

Lagoon · #8 07-15-2008, 08:29 AM

Yep, the nice thing about the already made, you just spray & go, like a fast food of fungicides

Oh shure, it can spread to the other parts of the orchid if left untreated.
If your worried just go ahead and spray down the whole thing, this products works well, abit stinky tho'

(..._...) · #9 07-15-2008, 08:46 AM

LOL fast food for orchids

but can the fungus spread from plant to plant? Bebcause the leaves of this plant are touching my sharry baby and sanderara

(I don't see anything yet)

I heavily mist my plants some mornings (if I have to rush off to work, but they need watering soon) could that be why I got the fungus?

Oh I have safer's 3-in- 1 at home, which I use for my roses, it is a fingicide/miticide/ insecticide with sulfur as well. But I think it would be better to pick up the defender stuff, no? I don't want to damage the leaves...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagoon

Yep, the nice thing about the already made, you just spray & go, like a fast food of fungicides

Oh shure, it can spread to the other parts of the orchid if left untreated.
If your worried just go ahead and spray down the whole thing, this products works well, abit stinky tho'

whygreenberg · #10 07-15-2008, 09:15 AM

Hey there, Cam...It could certainly come from heavy misting. Especially if there's little air movement. Oncs in particular don't like their leaves wet.