Need help to save my orchid!

[meichang]

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie here! My orchid is sick but I don't know the reason behind, pls help Thank you very much!

[phalaephila]

Looks like spider mite damage to me. How long has it looked like this? Did it develop quickly?

[meichang]

Phalaephila,

Thanks for replying. The problem doesn't deteriorate very fast, maybe weeks until the leaves got so covered. It started from the part of the stem from where the leaves grow out. What should I do abt it?

[orchids4me]

Hi,
Go into the forum section look under pests and diseases there is a thread that was made a sticky called "the best stuff ever" in that thread is brookins recipe for a safe and natural remedy to make at home check it out this stuff is magic! It requires cinnamon extract youcan get it at the supermarket in the spice isle McCormic makes it (liquid).
Hope this helps
Emmaye

[digitalgate]

get white oil -not the premixed ones. or white summer oil from candy nursery in thomson road . You can also use Neem oil if you wish but remember to spray dettol after u use neem oil. You can also get Alcanleium (dont know if this the right spelling) or Albarol from world farm in Bah Soon Pah road. Look up thread on how to treat mites.

Right now you have to assume that the rest of the collection is infected with mites. In our weather ,they are merciless.

[meichang]

Thank you all.

Pls don't mind me asking: as there isn't any visible spider mite (not even web) on the leaves, are we able to confirm the diagnose? The leaves are dry, and the process is slow...

[digitalgate]

yes, it almost certain spider mites

[willowbanks]

meichang, don't panic, this is not spider mite damage, you say " The leaves are dry, and the process is slow... "

At a guess, how long have these marks been on the leaves, 1 week, 1 month or may be over a year????

Bill

[kmarch]

To me it looks like cell collapse cause by dehydration which has then made the leaves susceptible to a fungal infection. I'd increase watering and treat with a good fungicide.

[meichang]

It took maybe a month for the leaves to reach that stage shown in the close-up pic. I removed the plant out of its pot yesterday, the soil and the roots are moist. I thought the roots are a little bit weak (break quite easily) but they aren't rotting.

[willowbanks]

Thanks Meichang, I thought the damage had some age about it.

The plant looks pretty healthy and grown well.

I suspect the marks on the leaves was caused by sun on wet leaves, it is isolated and is not a fungal problem that will spread.

Bill

[kmarch]

I disagree to some extent with Bill. I believe the dark brownish areas are places where a funus of some kind has taken hold. I'd treat it with a good fungicide.

[meichang]

Thanks Bill and Kmarch,

I'll try a fungicide and take note of the water and sunlight issue at the same time. Will keep you guys posted of the outcome! Thank you friends