Leaves on Cattleya aurantiaca

[Cybrczch]

Cattleya (Guarianthe) aurantiaca, I received last year as a gift, noticed something on the leaves for the past 2 months Not sure what it is, anyone here have an idea? Been growing under lights in the basement since I got it. The brown stuff is actually leaf material, not insects.

[Cybrczch]

A close up picture, not quite as good quality (I didn't have a stand and my hand shakes a bit)

[clintdawley]

It looks like insect damage to me. I bet that spider mites might be the culprit.

[rich63]

I had the same problem over the winter on some of my phal. Looks like spider mites to me also.Mine were Red Spider Mites.I used A product called Organocide available at any BB store.It is safe to use indoors.Spray at least once a week , for 3 weeks min. to be on the safe side.Make sure to spray the entire plant top to bottom and undersides of the leafs.Make sure you take a really good look at the rest of your plants.You may want to spray any other plants that were near this plant,to be on the safe side. This stuff can stain concrete. FYI Good Luck,Rich

[ang709]

I agree that it looks like spider mites. Try rubbing a tissue on the bottom of the leaf and see if it leaves red streaks. Then you'll know for sure. Sorry. I hate those critters. Oh, and keep this plant isolated from the others. I learned the hard way how far those pesky mites can travel from one plant to another.

[bench72]

the brown round things at the top part of the leaves are mature scales and that fluffy things are I think the babies/eggs/droppings... so you'll need to get a mix of water, oil and soap and spray the critters. What this mix does is it suffocates them and they can't breathe and then they go to pest heaven.

[Ron-NY]

I am in agreement with Tim(Bench72)...The brown things may be mature scale..I would manually remove the scale with a fine toothbrush, peel back the papery sheaths on the p-bulbs and remove it (don't be surprised if you find some critters hanging out under it) and then do an oil spray, covering all surfaces and another 10 days later. If the brown things aren't scale, I would still follow the same procedure.

[ischel1]

Yup, scale and spider mites.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Oh, that looks bad. I agree with Tim on the diagnosis and Ron on the process. Be sure to get all the way down to the rhizome when you clean this plant. Good luck!

Cheers,
BD