black leaf spots: NYC

[pchadwic]

Hi again—this is #2 of 3 posts re: my phals.
This pink was given to us in bloom 13 months ago. Same history as my first post (bud blast question_nyc); blooms all last summer, cut back spike, new spike in sprint and we've had blooms since April. Plant seems to be doing well with exception of black spots on one lower leaf (see pink_phal_detail.jpg). There's one larger spot hidden under the leaf above it. The dried upper leaf tip visible in the first two pics happened when it was touching an aluminum window frame on a very hot day. It's now out of direct sun.

Is this something I should be concerned about? The leaves are all firm though the lowers leaves are slightly less so

Thanks!

[Orchidementia]

It looks like maybe sunburn... Can you take a close-up of it?

[Hummer344]

Hi,
I would not worry about that lower leaf. The plant will naturally loose leaves as part of the life cycle. The part that touched the aluminum frame could just stay that way for a long period of time. The plant looks health enough otherwise. I would keep on doing what you have been doing

[mayres]

The black looks to me to possibly be some disease organisms that have taken over an area that somehow was injured? I'd just keep a close eye on those and don't get too excited unless they start significantly growing. Culture practices can affect this dramatically - poor air circulation and keeping the areas moist without adequate drying out - especially late in the day. So, water early in the day (if you mist don't do this late in the day) and provide a small fan to keep the air moving if possible if you don't already have a means of getting some good air movement - this can also be an open window nearby or even forced air vents in central air systems. In general it looks like you are doing well - enjoy!

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Your black spots could also be where there was a water drop on the leaves while direct sun was hitting it. This would have amplified the sun and made a small burn like that. Or as Mayres stated, it could be something else. If it doesn't spread at all, I would guess a localized burn. If it spreads then it could be more.

[11Orchid126]

It could also be mechanical damage. You might take a black marker and go around the edge of the spot. If it stays within the ring and doesn't spread, you probably have nothing to worry about.

[JLu]

Hey Jay, I think the water drop deal is an old wives tale. I know it goes around in gardening circles all the time, but no one can tell me why all the foliage outdoors isn't ruined when it rains in the middle of the day.

Heck, I grew up in north Florida where there is a thunder storm every afternoon followed by blazing sun and the plants don't get burned.

[pchadwic]

Thank you all for the great comments! The spots are not growing perceptibly so I think they could be a result of some physical damage that was then exacerbated by something in its environment. We've got great airflow and I never let water sit on a leaf, but weather conditions in NYC are really varied from winter to summer: bone dry and low 50's to 1000000% humidity and 90's. Plus the amount of direct sun though East window changes by over 2 hours from winter to summer. But this phal has bloomed the longest by far of the 5 we have and seems happy—so I suppose I can find better things to worry about!

Thanks again everyone! This forum has been the source of my orchid education and I'm grateful for the info.


p

[digitalgate]

you moss look very wet. Be careful, don't over water them.