Is this fungal?

[cloudswinger]

This phal was a rescue from Lowes, and it was wilted, so I repotted and watered it. The top two leaves are pretty firm, the bottom few are limp(one is half torn, so that's understandable) but the thing that bothers me is the black spot. I thought it was sunburn at first, but the yellow area is slowly expanding, and it didn't have the yellow edge to the leaf before today. It looks like the cells are collapsing. Should I cut off the leaf? You can see a new one growing already.

[bkim]

If its expanding, that's not a good sign. I would cut the infected area and pack the wound with cinnamon.

[mayres]

I concur - cut the end half of the leaf off before it spreads any more - it can go really fast and you don't want that getting into the crown.

[E-Jag]

I agree with bkim, I see no upside to leaving the spot. No matter what, it's ugly; get rid of it and you may get rid of a potential problem. That spot isn't going to repair itself.

___________________
E-Jag

[jerrymeola]

The spot does not appear to be moist. Active fungus will be soft and moist and dangerous as it will grow rapidly.

Your spot could be old fungus that was cured, physical damage or burn, although burn usually turns brown after a week or two.

If it is not growing it can be ignored, but it will never heal and cutting it will never hurt the plant.

[Leisurely]

It is a good plan to cut back into healthy tissue at least one inch.

[greg_s]

I had a similar issue with a group of phals I got from the "rescue rack" at my local Lowes. The garden center people usually water the orchids the same way they water everything else, which can cause some various problems. If the yellow around the spot is expanding, it is time for some surgery. Just make sure you use a clean blade (I use razor blades fresh from the box), cut back until you are into the healthly part of the leaf, and pack it with cinnamon as Bkim suggested (the cinnamon is a natural anti-fungal).

Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Greg

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

Active fungus will be soft and moist and dangerous as it will grow rapidly.

I tink you're thinking fo bacterial infections Jerry. Fungal infections are often "dry" where as bacterial infections are often wet and mushy.

[cloudswinger]

I cut the whole leaf off. It's been gradual, but the yellowing was definitely expanding. If I cut off every leaf that had a black spot, half my plants would be missing leaves, and one phal only has one leaf. This spot was not like any of the other sunburned spots.

So is it fungal? Are there any definitive tests?

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by kmarch

I tink you're thinking fo bacterial infections Jerry. Fungal infections are often "dry" where as bacterial infections are often wet and mushy.

Okay now I'm confused. LOL and it don't take much. I thought bacterial and fungal infections could be either dry or mushy. I've had fungal infections on plants (Catts) that was mushy. The Oncidiums get the fungal spots and they're dry. As for bacteria it's the same way. :hmmm:

Please answer so that my brain don't hurt, LOL

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by articuno75

Please answer so that my brain don't hurt, LOL

I'll do my best.

Originally Posted by articuno75

I thought bacterial and fungal infections could be either dry or mushy.

The mushy leaves, canes (as seen in dendrobium), and other "wet" conditions are bacterial in nature. Fungal infections tend to be dry like the fungal spotting on leaves.

Originally Posted by articuno75

Please answer so that my brain don't hurt, LOL

How was that?

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by cloudswinger

I cut the whole leaf off. It's been gradual, but the yellowing was definitely expanding. If I cut off every leaf that had a black spot, half my plants would be missing leaves, and one phal only has one leaf. This spot was not like any of the other sunburned spots.

So is it fungal? Are there any definitive tests?

Cloudswinger~ As for your plants, I suggest using a fan to increase airflow. This reduces and minimizes the chance of fungus, and the plants love the air circulation.

I also suggest giving a peroxide bath to your plants. Full strength is fine. If your plants have bacteria, the peroxide will eat it up. A soak of about 5 or so minutes should do fine. You can dunk pot and all. After that I would suggest a cinnamon wash. Cinnamon is a natural fungicide.You can find the recipe here.

This can be done when you water your orchids. Several of us do this as preventative measures and also to treat our babies.

It sounds like a possible lack of air circulation, especially if your whole collection has some type of affliction. Try this and see if it clears up.

[articuno75]

Originally Posted by kmarch

I'll do my best.



The mushy leaves, canes (as seen in dendrobium), and other "wet" conditions are bacterial in nature. Fungal infections tend to be dry like the fungal spotting on leaves.



How was that?

That didn't hurt at all! But that would still be considered fungal right? I think of wet then I think of mold, fungus, etc. LOL, I guest I have too much rain and flooding on the brain..