Anton's Advice

[Woods]

I started a previous post about a bite on a new leaf (Phal). The hole is getting bigger! I though the edges were cracking as the leaf opens but the bite shape has definately changed over the past week.
Someone suggested trying Anton's soaking method but I can't find the thread. I have seen no bugs except the ones living in the medium.
Help!
A

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by Woods

I started a previous post about a bite on a new leaf (Phal). The hole is getting bigger! I though the edges were cracking as the leaf opens but the bite shape has definately changed over the past week.
Someone suggested trying Anton's soaking method but I can't find the thread. I have seen no bugs except the ones living in the medium.
Help!
A

Take the plant, pot and all and place it in a pot or bowl of water to where the water just comes to the rim of the medium. (The medium will float a little bit, but not escape out of the pot/bowl.) Let set for about an hour or two. Check the surface of the water. Bugs or other little boogers can't hold their breath forever! Hope this helps

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

If there is a hole in a growing leaf, the hole will grow with the leaf growth. Changing shape can be expected as the leaf will not grow uniformly in all directions.

[Woods]

Thanks. Is there anything I can put onto the hole to stop it cracking and getting bigger?
A

[kmarch]

Last January something took a bite out of a new growth on my Cattleya schilleriana. The leaves had not yet emerged and they had a nice bite of a "leaf sandwich." Afterwords the leaves opened up and the growth matured and I have a nice neat hole right in the middle of one of the leaves. It hasn't enlarged or cracked and it didn't deform the leaf but it was a Cattleya and it has tough, leathery leaves. I dont' think there's anything you cna do to repair the leaf but your plant will be ok.

[Woods]

Thanks for the reassurance.

[mayres]

Some time ago I had a phal that had a slug on it's youngest leaf. There was only about 50% at best of the leaf remaining after "breakfast" was served. I was wondering how this leaf would look as it grew - here is the leaf now - in the case of phals - they grow out from the bottom - what was the entire leaf when it was small is in fact only the tip of the leaf now.

[Woods]

Thanks for the photo Mike. Very reassuring. My youngest leaf has brownish edges like the one in your photo too.

[tizzycat]

GOsh, that phal has some huge leaves Mike.