Black spots on phal flowers

[Lavendersky]

I've noticed some black spots on my phal's flower petal, what is it? and how should i treat it?

[Lavendersky]

here's a pic

[brookn]

I believe it is Boytritis which is caused by damp cool conditions. I found a link here:

Botrytis blight factsheet

with orchids it is not as dire, but you will want to let the plant dry out a bit, and put it somewhere that it is warmer. It will not come off the current blooms, but with good culture it should hopefully not come out on any buds not opened yet. Keeping it warmer and a little dryer, the next time it blooms it should be fine. Cinnamon spray might help. If you just purchased it, it is likely the conditions at the place where you got it was the problem. If this is a new plant you might want to check the roots to make sure the mix they are in is okay and they are not too wet.

[Tobi]

Brook, I agree with your diagnosis. Botrytis, a fungus (mold) can causing black spoting
on the blooms. I have seen this on a couple of my Den. blooms at the end of their
blooming cycle. I was going ask Lavendersky how long the Phal. has been in bloom.
It usually doesn't cause any critical damage, but you should get rid of it.

[digitalgate]

lavendersky, did you have this indoor? why not put it outdoor and of course out of the
direct sunlight. That should prevent any mold growing. My condition is quite different from
you . It might not work. On the other hand it is that that serious

[Lavendersky]

It's been outside since last summer and I brought it inside when the last bud opened up a few days ago. I have had this plant for a year i think, don't remember where i got maybe home depot, i do remember i brought it home and the buds blasted, the stem died or i cut if off so this is the first time that i'm seeing the flowers. i'm growing it in a clay pot with a bark mix. i did notice the spots on the buds before it open, i wasn't sure what was causing it..

[brookn]

Have you had a lot of rain lately, with cool nights? Even one cool night could do it, expecially if it had been moist from rain.

[Lavendersky]

yes, actually there has been quite a few rainy days. should i repot you think? cut the stem or flowers off? throw it away?

[brookn]

I am not really sure. Maybe just the effected flowers? I have seen confilicting advice on this. Tobi, what do you think?

[digitalgate]

no, leave it. Don't spray /mist the plant. If you are watering the plant , drench the roots
only. Keep an eye on the black spot.If you have it outdoor and it has not spread. It should
be fine. If it spread it may be a fungus problem. Then you have to spray fungicides

[Tobi]

I agree with Digitalgate, leave the flowers. It might not look as pretty, but it shouldn't
hurt the plant.

[Lavendersky]

Thank you!

[digitalgate]

you welcome, this advise is only valid for FL and below. any North higher would be fatal.