Black spots on phal leaves - Orchid Board

Dollgoldii · #1 04-21-2009, 01:40 AM

Other than these black spots on both sides of the leaves, the plant seems to be doing well! Two spikes came out and flowers are about to bloom. What is going on? These leaves would eventually turn yellow and fall.

Lagoon · #2 04-21-2009, 06:26 AM

Hi Stephen,

I've had my fair share of phals that looked just like yours. I babied them til no end and they did not improve with time, for years in fact!

Like you said ... they turn yellow and die.
They can come back (mine did) just to regrow, turn yellow and die again.
No one that I have come across seems to know what this is. Mesophyll cell collapse tends to come up alot.

In the end I just tossed mine out - scared of spreading to my other orchids. These we're just to questionable in my mind to keep.

I'm sorry I wasn't more encouraging to you

Hopefully someone else maybe able to shed some light on this subject.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #3 04-21-2009, 07:51 PM

Hi Stephen. Although I haven't had any plants exhibit symptoms exatly like that, from what you say and the pictured, I'd agree with Gloria. It's at best a nasty bacterial infection, at worst a virus. Do you have any pictures of the top of the leaves?

If it is just bacterial or fungal, it's possible to cure it with dilligent treatment. If it's a virus, there's no curing it.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 04-22-2009, 02:48 AM

It's most likely a viral infection. Bacteria and fungal infections don't produce those pits, streaks, and sunken areas your plant has.

But...it could also be damage from a long period of missed watering.

Although in all honesty I think it's the former (viral).

You'll know for sure what it is when the flowers bloom.

See what someone else has to say.

Dollgoldii · #5 04-22-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

You'll know for sure what it is when the flowers bloom.

Thank you 'Your Majesty the King of Orchid Growing' for your input. How can I tell from the flowers that it was viral infection? The flower buds, which there are quite a bot, look very helathy to me! BTW, where can I get more information on orchid viruses? This subject is totally new to me.

Brooke · #6 04-22-2009, 07:28 PM

Blooms won't necessarily show viral infections.

Brooke

Lagoon · #7 04-22-2009, 07:39 PM

Agreed! None of my phals affected by this thing showed up in the flowers - part of the frustration that still bothers me today.
I hope you get it worked out, good luck to you

Dollgoldii · #8 04-22-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuscleGirl'sHobby

Do you have any pictures of the top of the leaves?

Hi Nichole, Thank you for your info. Here are pictures showing the top of one of the affected leaves and the whole plant. You would agree that the flower buds look healthy. You may notice that the 'damage' is more severe at the underside. Do you have any good reading in mind on orchid virus(es)? I am also attaching a picture of my other phal that has a flower-spike-looking thing coming out from the center. Can anyone tell me what this could be?