Orchid Scale problem

[Dorsetman]

Scale insects do not vary in size that much.Whilst the smaller dots look similat to Bois Duval scale, the larger ones cannot be the same thing, so that if all these spots, large and small are the same thing, none of them are scale. If you use an ordinary bug spray from your garden cenre, can you then wipe them off ? Scale have a waxy coating which protects them, but this can be dissolved by an alcohol wipe - i think its sold as "rubbingalcohol" in USA - we get methylated spirits here in UK. With that, you can wipe them off and it kills the nymphs too. In fact, what you are looking at with the small brown spots could be the dead remains of one, from which the nymphs have spread out.
But try wiping off, or gently scrape with your finger nail - what happens ?

[angela]

to Geoff. I do not believe the spots as shown in your photos are Scale. Looks like some other kind of damage to the leaves. However, I would agree that if those "spots" are something that can be removed, then you should try wiping them off with one of the methods mentioned by Geoff

[Puppies2]

Geoff and all,
First, I'd like to thank you for hanging in there with me. This AM I tried scraping the raised bumps off without success. When I probed the center, there is definitely healthy tissue in there. Under a magnifying glass there is no sign of scale or insects. I emptied the bark on a piece of paper and still could find nothing unusual in the potting medium. Do you think I should just treat with a insecticide? I am totally stumped. I know this is not the time to repot catts but maybe I should just cut the affected leaves off, wipe with peroxide and then repot.
Today is D Day. I'm determined to Diagnose the problem !

[Dorsetman]

If you cut the leaf off that phally, here will be nothing left !
I think you might be even more brutal, if you are really worroed ; ask yourself, do you want to buy a fine new clean orchid, and risk it being infected ? No ? Then why not junk both. Neither of them is going to flower and look good very soon.
Be a real big spender - throw these away and go and buy some more. Then you will see flowers - thats what most people grow orchids for, not to spend all the time worrying over strange symptoms.

[Puppies2]

It's a cattleya not a phalaenopsis.
Since the majority feel they are not scales, I started treating for snails. Not ready to ditch the plant yet, it's been isolated.
Happy New Year everyone!

[mmosley]

Contact your local county extension office!
They'll likely ask you to mail off a piece of an affected leaf to be used as a specimen by a horticulturist who can make an official diagnosis with treatment options/recommendations.

[cdayinflorida]

I've seen plants with Fusarium proliferatum have depressed brown round spots on the leaves.

[cdayinflorida]

Hopefully Amey will see this post.

[Ron-NY]

Pictures sure help. That does not look like scale damage. Possibly mechanical damage of some type. Water droplets on the leaves with full sun can also be a cause. I will let others chime in as well.