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Something's Up With My Orchid's Leaves

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Natattack207, Aug 1, 2016.

  1. Natattack207

    Natattack207 New Member

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    Hello! This is my first time posting, and my first time owning an orchid. It was a gift from a dad's friend and I've had it for a couple of months now.
    I recently moved it to a different spot and just today noticed these dark purple, limp spots on some of my orchids leaves.
    I'm afraid it might be something infectious but have also heard orchid leaves turn dark without sunlight. I don't have enough experience with orchids to tell myself but any help is appreciated!
    The first two photos are what I'm most concerned about. The others are spots that have been there for a while that I think might also have problems.
    IMG_2292.JPG IMG_2294.JPG IMG_2295.JPG IMG_2296.JPG IMG_2297.JPG
     
  2. Wolf

    Wolf Member

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    Hello, I don't have my glasses right now, but mostly sure it is fungal, some of this things spread with splashing water too, so I would just be careful to not spread it, the plant looks a bit dehydrated to me. But I'm used to see them in greenhouses or terrariums lately so much, that maybe I'm just paranoid about its wrinkles.
    Do you feed it?
    When was it last repot?
    How often you water it?

    I wouldn't panic, doesn't look like a virus, so all cool, just avoid water over the leafs and let dry a bit between waters, ensure that theirs normal airflow, not a hurricane thought... Just wind. And don't move them too much, I have had some of my plants get pretty sad when I got moving them around too much.

    Hope to hear your answers soon and that they plants are better.
     
  3. Natattack207

    Natattack207 New Member

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    Thank you for the help!
    I haven't repotted it since I first planted it, which was about a month ago. I do give it plant food whenever I water it and try to water it once or twice a week.
    Do you think it's something I should cut off just in case? Or should I just leave as is? I've thought about spraying it a bit with hydrogen peroxide but I'm not too sure.
    Thank you again! I'll definitely try to keep them in one spot from now on.
     
  4. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    That is a systemic infection; a topical treatment won't touch it.

    I would suggest a copper treatment (copper sulfate, as in Phyton 27), or Thiomyl (aka Clearys 3336) if you want to go the chemical route, or Inocucor Garden Solution, if you prefer a biological cure and boost.
     
  5. Natattack207

    Natattack207 New Member

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    Hey Ray!

    I'm looking for some copper sulfate fungicide now. The part of the leaf infected is turning white now with some mild black spots, so I'm really worried.

    Will cutting the infected leaf help at all?

    Thank you for the advice!
     
  6. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Frankly, while I usually do cut off such parts at the first indication, I think it's too wide spread at this point. I agree with Wolf that it's likely fungal, and is probably throughout the growing area, not just in the plants themselves. In addition to treating the plants, you should probably disinfect the entire growing area, as well. My "go to" product is Biosafe Disease Control, although if you don't have any particularly sensitive plants, Physan is a great product, as well.

    Such fungi are ubiquitous, and I'd guess that there's something about your particular growing environment and watering technique that has allowed them to flourish, but if you jump on them now, and do a periodic "cleansing treatment" with the disinfectant, it'll soon be in your past.
     
  7. Wolf

    Wolf Member

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    Hello!
    (Thank you for the help!)
    You are welcome
    (I haven't repotted it since I first planted it, which was about a month ago.)
    You disinfect the media?
    (I do give it plant food whenever I water it and try to water it once or twice a week.)
    I don't know your plant food type, but I only fertilize once a week, you know some people say... Weekly weakly or something creepy like that, maybe is not the source of the problem, but maybe is a lot of food!
    (Do you think it's something I should cut off just in case? Or should I just leave as is? I've thought about spraying it a bit with hydrogen peroxide but I'm not too sure.)
    I have spray stuff with medical alcohol the common one in the pharmacy, 50/50 with water and it didn't went bad, but it was useless. I have only one time cut affected leaf parts and it didn't work. I don't really know what to say there, I just focus on try to heal the whole plant, you know sometimes maybe things are not really local, more like general, but with fungus one never knows where it is...
    (Thank you again! I'll definitely try to keep them in one spot from now on.)
    Very welcome, I always try to help others, you know, if everyone helps each other, everything would be beautiful.
    Good luck and hope everything goes well, keep us updated.
     
  8. Natattack207

    Natattack207 New Member

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    Thank you for the help!

    The Thiomyl is on it's way and I'm looking into the Physan. I'll post updates when my orchid starts to get back on her feet!
     
  9. Natattack207

    Natattack207 New Member

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    I've ordered some Thiomyl, so hopefully that'll get rid of the fungus! I'm worried about moving her now in her weakened state but I plan to repot her once she's treated with the fungicide.

    And I've certainly learned a lot about orchids this past week that I hadn't before. I'm going to cut back on over fertilizing and watering definitely.

    And I definitely agree with your sentiment! I don't know what I would do without your advice and the help of everyone else on this forum. Now I'm sure my plant can recover and be healthy again!
     
  10. Wolf

    Wolf Member

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    Hey! How is your orchid doing today?