Black balls taking over leaf and spreading.

[livvylove]

I have these little black balls on the underside on my plants leaf. It also seems to be eating away at the green part of the leaf leaving white areas. I saw some of these black balls spreading to the main plant that is in bloom.

I found a picture of someone elses orchid that has the same problem but the people who replied to her thread on another forum didn't seem to have an idea what was going on. My camera is charging and when it's done I will take photos of my plant to show.

So what are these little black balls and how do I get rid of them. I'm a newbie so detailed answers would be appreciated by me and my orchid.

[evagentry]

Are they balls, or pits? Do they come off?

[janet_a]

rubbing aclohol
cotton balls

wash the plant down thoroughly and firmly and see if the stuff comes off.

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by evagentry

Are they balls, or pits? Do they come off?

they come off, they are little balls.

Originally Posted by janet_a

rubbing aclohol
cotton balls

wash the plant down thoroughly and firmly and see if the stuff comes off.

Will do.
So what exactly are they because I am worried.

[Tobi]

They look like egg cases from some type of insect. Exactly what type, I'm not sure.
Is your orchid outside? You can remove them using a swab dipped in alcohol, but that
is only a temporary solution. Try putting some sticky paper around the plant and see if
you attract and trap whatever it is. If you can find out what it is, them you can
treat the plant or remove it from its current location.

[Greenhouse Gal]

I second what the others have said. My picture is a little small but they look like a hard scale insect to me. When you squish them with your fingers are they juicy, sticky or hollow, dry? If juicy, sticky they are alive till just then. If dry, hollow they are dead, maybe something else eat them, maybe old age. Even if they are dry, hollow they should be washed off, there can be eggs underneath. Look very carefully at natural leaf veins and the tender young parts of plants for almost clear little bumps, that would be the young scale be sure to wash those off too. A small hand lens or magnifying glass can be very helpful here. Look equally closely at a healthy plant to see what should be part of the plant and what is other or damage.

Greenhouse Gal.

[mehitabel]

Looks and sounds like caterpillar poo to me-- I've seen that over and over on other plants, and on a phal venosa hybrid and an oncid last summer. And every time I've seen it, there was always a caterpillar.

If I'm right, one or more tiny caterpillars is hiding in your plant and chomping away.

Inspect it very closely, look everywhere, see what you find hiding.

[Vivienne]

oohhh that is a great thought - caterpillar poo. That does make sense!

Are there any chomp marks that you have noticed livvy??

[livvylove]

Ok, Sorry I haven't had time to reply yet. I ended up wiping the little balls off. I did see some chop marks on the bottom and a few on the top of the leaves. They have stopped so I think the little bugger left. My orchid seems to be doing well. The first two blooms are starting to wilt though. I got it around the start of March I believe and it bloomed shortly after so I think that was a pretty good amount of time for a bloom right?

Thanks for the help

[Tobi]

Glad to hear the intruder has departed!

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by Tobi

Glad to hear the intruder has departed!

Me too

Now back to enjoying my orchid

[evagentry]

If they were scale insect you might keep your eyes open for more sometimes there are babies you can't see right away.

[livvylove]

Originally Posted by evagentry

If they were scale insect you might keep your eyes open for more sometimes there are babies you can't see right away.

I'll keep a look out for more little critters just in case. Thanks for the advice