Whats going on? Black spots on leaves and roots! - Orchid Board

Cookiemonster · #1 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 02:01 PM

Greetings everyone,
I attached some pictures of my plants condition, its a phal Sogo Golden, it was recently in bloom and then they just wilted off, I believe its one plant that became two...
One of them has a little spike growing out but it really hasnt grown much since october? ....
Is this root rot or some fungal disease with the black spots? I'd appreciate any input to make this little phal happy again

Thanks!!

Ross · #2 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 02:06 PM

Not sure, but seeing the sphagnum and the brown spots, I'm guessing rot. If you can get your hands on some Thiomyl, you might just cure this stuff, especially if you repot into loose, coarse bark or equivilant. Thiomyl OSG23: Camp Lot A Noise Tropicals Thiomyl is a systemic fungicide and rot treatment. It's taken up by the roots.

Cookiemonster · #3 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 02:13 PM

I think its funny, everytime I buy an orchid its in moss and its SO HEALTHY! I take it home and do the damage it seems, which is is disappointing, I live in arizona so I worry that some of the other potting mediums will be too dry? Any help ... thanks...
on a side note are you SURE its rot...or is there a possibility it would be something else... thanks!

Ross · #4 (**permalink**) 03-30-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

I think its funny, everytime I buy an orchid its in moss and its SO HEALTHY! I take it home and do the damage it seems, which is is disappointing, I live in arizona so I worry that some of the other potting mediums will be too dry? Any help ... thanks...
on a side note are you SURE its rot...or is there a possibility it would be something else... thanks!

No I am not sure it's rot. Just really looks like rot. Even though you are in AZ, I would still go with bark or some coarse medium as the potting mix. Most orchids cannot tolerate constant moisture and lack of air at the roots. Remember, Phals naturally grow epiphytically (in trees, etc.) with roots exposed. That's why they often send roots out of the pots. Pots are convenient for us growers, but not for the Phals. Sue (CB977) grows lots of hers in a ball of sphagnum but hanging like tree mounts. I use clear pots to be able to assess the dryness of the mix at a glance.

Cookiemonster · #5 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 04:43 PM

Help!!! I was watering the plant today and saw little white things running around, Im not sure if they are aphids or mealy bugs or whatever, but they are the same thing that DESTROYED and killed 4 of my orchids.
My plant is potted in sphaghnum moss, what can I do now to save my plant as it still has a good chance or survival!
Thanks!

Ross · #6 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Help!!! I was watering the plant today and saw little white things running around, Im not sure if they are aphids or mealy bugs or whatever, but they are the same thing that DESTROYED and killed 4 of my orchids.
My plant is potted in sphaghnum moss, what can I do now to save my plant as it still has a good chance or survival!
Thanks!

Photos would help. Could be mealies or other monsters.

Cookiemonster · #7 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 07:01 PM

Hahaha Ross you've got to be kidding me!? Those buggers are near impossible to see, take a picture, they do seem to run like mad when I water the plant? they are white and they have legs and run really REALLY fast...
God, this is so annoying...ugh...

(..._...) · #8 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 07:59 PM

Are they very VERY tiny? I sometimes see things in my bark, when I repot, but there are very few, and don't cause any problems. There are soo small that they are hard to see. Anyways, they don't fit any description to insects in orchid books or on this form. I have had the plants for over 5 years, and they don't grow in number or anything.

(..._...) · #9 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 08:02 PM

Oh, and the rot is unlike any rot I have seen before... the roots look relatively healthy, and the rot occurs in several spots, but not along the whole root. Hmm..

how long have you had that plant by the way?

Good luck!

Cookiemonster · #10 (**permalink**) 04-02-2008, 11:41 PM

I dont know whats going on... it might be a combination of root rot and an infestation...
Oh I dont know what these white things are EXACTLY, but they are what killed my last 4-5 plants
Im going to try to contact my local orchid organization and see if they can help because this is driving me mad that I dont know what to do and how to resolve the problem...
Do you have any advice. they are white, and run when I water my plant