pits and channels on my phal

[Corrine]

Hello,

My husband and I are new to orchids. We bought one about a year ago and it has been doing great until this past week. I looked at it and it has channels eaten out of it as well as round pits going through the affected leaves. I don't see any insects on it. Does anyone know what this could be and how to treat it?

Thanks!

[articuno75]

Sounds like critters.

[jay]

I am far from an expert, but pits and channels could be a slug or snail.

By the way, Welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy your stay here.

Jay

[Corrine]

Thanks for the welcome. My husband suggested maybe leaf miners. I'm not sure if that is right. The largest channel is along the main vein of the leaf. Everything else is really just little holes right through the leaves. I went back to do a mite check and found that our newer plant is just starting to get the pits as well. Anymore suggestions out there?

Corrine

[patlee]

If you weren't from Texas, I'd say it might be cold damage. Is your area pretty warm? Did you get it/them from a big box store?

[Corrine]

The bad one was bought about a year ago from Walmart with no problems until this week (actually it seemed to happen overnight). The other is newer, we got it about 2 months ago from a grocery store. We keep them by a window, and it has been cold here this winter, but warm the past week or two.

[patlee]

Put a slice of apple or a shallow bowl of beer out and see if you have any takers. Check in the morning... If you've had the one plant for a year it doesn't sound like cold damage. You may have some unwanted guests

[digitalgate]

i have that too..It is a small, shiny,black insect. did not die from Abamectin with surface
tension lower agent. Just leave it to die(for me).. cheap plant anyway.
You might want to spent time looking carefully , use a jeweler's magnify glass.

[Corrine]

Let them die? That's just wrong So, nothing will work to rid the plants of this? I'll see if I can find some kind of magnifier to look closer.

Thanks for the helps

Corrine

[cindiras]

Hmm! If it is a snail or slug, try putting the plant, pot and all, in a deeper container of water. Snail or slug should work up out of the planting media to gulp air, then it can be removed.

[kmarch]

Well if it is indeed an insect infestation, Some insecticide should be effective. Of course the damaged leaves won't heal but at least the damage is stopped. Are leaf miners common in Texas? It's not a typical orchid attacker but certainly plausable. Have you tried an insecticide? If so does it seem to have stopped the progress of the damage?

[Corrine]

I just noticed the damage today, so I haven't tried anything yet. I will try the water idea and we were thinking of taking a 7 dust paste and wiping down the leaves. Any suggestions?

[11Orchid126]

You might check the plant at night with a flashlight. Check under the leaves also. Many critters do their damage in the dark.

[Corrine]

thanks I'll try that!

[Corrine]

Actually I just read the thread on "Phailed Phalaenopsis" and the last picture showed the small brown pits that mine has. Maybe someone knows from seeing that picture, or will say something in that post.

Thanks again!