Methinks my new orchid is sick

[xgrendel]

I posted photos of my little Anabelle - my new phal in the pics forum. I just happened to notice that she is looking a little sickly in one leaf. So far, this appears to be the only leaf affected. Is this a bacterial or fungal infection? Please help!

Just a little fyi: She sits on a humidity tray (a pile of rocks with some water in the bottom of it, not touching the roots or bottom of the pot). Her other leaves are pretty green and leathery. I'm noticing a little black buildup around the edges of some of the leaves but nothing that appears to be hurting her. I can scrape some of the black stuff away from the actual leaf, so I know it's building up on the leaf and not from the inside. As per the instructions, I mist the leaves in the morning but do not mist the actual flowers. If you have any questions, feel free to ask - I will try to answer to the best of my abilities!

[LJA]

Hi xgrendel, welcome!

Anabelle's leaf looks like it's been a little bit chewed on (slugs or grasshoppers, hard to tell). Some areas have already scabbed over with white, but that particular brown area has become infected.

Do you have a new, single-edged razor blade? If not, a sharp knife will do once dipped in bleach and allowed to dry.

Cut completely around the affected area--not into the middle of it--and remove the fungus. The leaf will be scarred, but that's okay. New leaves will eventually grow and you don't want this to spread. Dip a Q-tip into some rubbing alcohol or Listerine and swab the cut area entirely. If you have access to a fungicide like Capstan powder, apply that liberally to the cut, if not, no problem: the alcohol will more than likely do the trick and the cut will scab over in white.

The black stuff you're noticing on the leaf edges is mold: not harmful, but indicative of a touch too much humidity. Your rock / humidity tray is all you need for your growing conditions: no need to mist the plant at all. Just water every 4 days or so with a 1/4 to 1/3 strength fertilizer solution, and Anabelle will do great.

OrchidTracy here has had experience revitalizing Phals; she might have something to add...

In any case, thanks for offering to answer questions and, glad you're here!

[xgrendel]

Thank you so much for the prompt response. I didn't have any anti fungal remedies with the exception to some listerine. Thanks for the heads-up on the mold issue. That is what I believed it to be and I've been able to remove most of it without any trouble.

I think we're going to be in good shape now. I believe these plants may have been chewed on a bit lik you said. and the one spot I did notice (in the pic) I just found tonight.

Again, thanks for the prompt response! I've been stewing over the plant ever since I bought it: I like to say it's getting acquainted!

[LJA]

lol! Getting acquainted is good! By the way I forgot to mention: the watering every 3-4 days only applies if the plant isn't potted in sphagnum moss. If it is, wait till the first inch or so of sphagnum is dry at the top before watering again or Anabelle's roots will stay too wet and start to rot.

Happy growing!

[tnwren]

hey xgrendel,
i'll bet you have a fungiside around the house and don't realise it, common houdehold cinnamon. my wife and i are organic growers, we have researched and used many herbal teas, neem oil,cinnamon, and other non toxic solutions for orchid related problems.
good growing,
skip & dawn

[xgrendel]

Thanks for the tip. I most certainly have cinnamon in quantity. I ended up cutting the entire leaf off as it turned a nasty yellow and was just about dead. Anabelle is looking beautiful once again and has is in full bloom! I have yet to take some pics as I am waiting for my paph to finish blooming.