HELP SPREADING BLACK SPOT ON MY CATT.

[MaryLou]

Please help anyone who can!!
The past 4 days I've noticed this black spot on my catt . that is spreading. I'm not sure what it is? I've touched it with my finger nail and it doesn't seem to be real soft. It's located between where the leaf and pseudobulb join. I'm not sure if it is a type of disease or rot? Should I cut the area out where it ends on the pseudobulb? I have a new root and a some new growth just starting to grow out of the base of it. I have taken some pictures, see below.
I'm only watering it once a week and it is potted in that orchid bark and horticulture charcoal mix, I know I'm not overwatering it's real dry each time I water it every week. I am growing it indoors under lights one 85w cfl, and one 23w cfl for about 15 hrs a day. Thank You, Mary



these are views of the black spot on my orchid.



this is the photo of the new growth, growing off of the pseudobulb with the black area.

[ischel1]

Hi Marylou, hope someone can figure this out for you. I know how upsetting it can be when one of your babies gets sick.
ischel

[Cjcorner]

I have this on a couple of mine and it never hurt them. Often it's something that happened when it was in the greenhouse. As long as the bulb or leaf stay looking okay don't worry about it. There are several types of bacterial growth inhibitors and fungus inhibitors...you mix in when you water or spritz onto the plant. No worries though, that new p-bulb growing will be just fine. Most of this stuff is cosmetic and doesnt actually bother the plant much at all.
Good luck
Connie

[Cjcorner]

Whoops, went back and looked, saw a second growth coming out on one of the other p-bulbs...I wouldn't worry much unless the brown stuff starts feeling mushy and then you lop off anything brown. But, unless it's mushy, leave it alone. It looks like several of mine.

[MaryLou]

I'v just come home for my lunch and looked at the spot it is spreading, I think it has grown about 1/4" since this morning. The spreading area seems to start off light brown and darken. Should I razor the area off and apply some cinnamon to the cut area if I do so? Should I try to find some fungicide? Please help. Mary

[MaryLou]

Here are new photos of the same dark spreading area on my LC. Catt. It has been about 17 hours since the last photos were taken. It's spreading up into the leaf area I think? The new dark area that is lighter in color seems to be slightly soft when i touch it with my finger nail. Please help anyone! Thank you, Mary

[Cjcorner]

If it is spreading....find some Physan 20, mix it up and use it as recommended. Call around your nurseries that sell orchids and someone will have some to sell you. The cut should be made with a sterile tool such as a razorblade you can throw away. Cinnamon is great to dry out the cuts and sometimes even stop an infection in it's tracks. I would also consult a few others on this site...I am only a year old at this myself and not always 100% on. BD is a good one for this stuff.
Connie

[ischel1]

Connie you're right on. I think it's either bacterial or fungus and in either case physan will be helpful.
ischel

[MaryLou]

Thank You for all your help. I've cut out the dark area plus a little more to be safe with a steril razor and applied cinnamon to the open wound. I did this yesturday, I'm optomisitc everything is going to be ok. I've ordered some fungicide in the meantime. Mary

[Becky15349]

MaryLou, how is this Catt getting on now? Is it doing better?