Might be mites?

[tyger_lilli]

My orchid (which I suspect is a phal hybrid of some sort) had fantastic summer growth and dropped two leaves as a result, but it had another sickly looking leaf that was different. After some research on the forum, I figured it must be infected with something so I cut it off (after sterilizing the scissors, of course). This is what it looks like:
geocities - tyger_lilli/rottenLeaf.jpg
(I can't post URLs because I just registered - put and www and com with geocities, followed by a slash)

There's a lot of black on the plant where I removed the leaf. I put on some cinnamon (the only treatment I have on hand for anything) in case it's fungus, which is why it looks a little red:
geocities - tyger_lilli/sicklyStem.jpg

I've seen little creatures crawling around in the moss mixture and I found one on the leaf I took off. They're tan and definitely visible to the naked eye, but well camoflaged. Could this be the cause of my orchid's sickness?

Thanks a lot!

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

This looks like mite damage to me. I would go to a nursery and get some neem oil and spray the plant thoroughly, and any other plants in the near vicinity. Then keep the plants in the shade and a cool spot for a couple of days (important). This looks bad enough that a second spraying a week or two later is a good idea.

I suspect that the bugs in your moss are fungus gnats. These don't usually do damage to the plant, but are often an indication that the mix is starting to break down. Things that may work to rid the pot of them are alcohol (not sure the mixture with water, but maybe 50/50), hydrogen peroxide, or the neem oil mix, all poured liberally thru the pot. This is hear say, so can't comment on effectiveness. Seems I read that cinnamon used liberally in the pot works too. Let up know what works on the pot bugs. I use pesticides often enough that I don't have much problem with these. Cynthia