Need help! Is this Slug or Black Rut?

[BValdes]

Hi everyone need your help and opinion on identifying what is this on my Catt. (Blc. King of Taiwan) "Ta Hsin#1" AM/AOS

I purchased this in January at the Tamiami Int'l Orchid Show and it was doing great with a new growth and all of the sudden I find this on the growth, man I'm really down and about this hopeful it is not that nasty word we all know "Black Rot". Thanks

[leafmite]

Definitely use some isopropyl alcohol on the blackness to disinfect. I see that many of the older growths are shriveled...is this recent? If so, it might mean that the roots aren't in the greatest shape due to rot. As for the black spot, clean it well with alcohol and then look at the extent of the damage. If it is rot, you may consider getting a recommended chemical to combat this, if it is a slug or other insect, perhaps slug bait and a spray of insecticide will protect it.
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[Halloamey]

Doesn't look primary rot. First the growth suffered some mechanical damage, could be from the slug/snail and then the blackening is a normal sign caused by the plant response to wound. It consists of exudates of phenolic compounds which act as natural antibiotics. I would apply some sulphur powder to the wound, it will dry it out and prevent infection. Avoid wetting the wound, but yes the plant looks severely dehydrated so I would water at the roots.

[tucker85]

I agree that it looks like mechanical damage. Could someone or something (cat or dog) have broken the new growth. I hate to be negative but the plant is in overall poor condition and overpotted. My personal opinion is that it needs to be in a pot about half that size. The rhizome also appears to be covered with medium. The rhizome should be on the surface of the medium with only the roots down in it. I would also use one of the products that stimulates root growth. Good luck.

[BValdes]

Leaf - Cleaned it with alcohol also examined the damage and it's worse than the picture shows it has been eaten almost all the way thru most likely will loose that growth and yes the older growths have alway been shriveled don't know why. I also put down slug bait ones or twice a week all around my yard and specially where all my orchids.

Amey - Your right its not Rot I checked the roots and they looked in good condition I now believe this was done by slug/snail. I will avoid watering the wound to prevent infection.

Jeff - Is possible that it could have been done by an animal but don't think so cause of where I keep it but I do have some pesky bleu jays that sometimes they peck on my medium don't know why. I also repotted it to a smaller pot half the size and brought up the rhizome so it's not covered by the medium.

Again THANK YOU all for your quick response will keep you posted.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Doesn't look primary rot. First the growth suffered some mechanical damage, could be from the slug/snail and then the blackening is a normal sign caused by the plant response to wound. It consists of exudates of phenolic compounds which act as natural antibiotics. I would apply some sulphur powder to the wound, it will dry it out and prevent infection. Avoid wetting the wound, but yes the plant looks severely dehydrated so I would water at the roots.

Yes, I agree about the mechanical damage. Thanks, Amey, for the information.

cheers,
BD