I would comment and keep reading the thread to see if there are any comments, but I really have no idea what's going on! I keep hoping to learn something from someone that has experienced something like this. Good luck!
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Thank you Catt Mandu! That's what I'm afraid of. But so far it does not look worth. Its definitely not turning watery or has bad odor.
Few days in row I treat with isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) and result leaves me puzzled. Those spot disappearing...
1 day as I found it
24 hours after first alcohol application
48 hours after first and 24 after second application
2.5 day after
Today I asked our microbiologist what it could be... why after isopropanol it becomes normal (at least it looks like that), she could not explain.
After reading responses in Terry's (T4tlrman) poll I thought it might be leaf miner. So I went to our entomologist.... He looked at pictures and said it does not looked like real leaf miner. the pattern is not characteristic and it does not have that black/grey line in tunnel. And he said it would not disappear after treating with alcohol.
On more damaged leaf I did not see any surface damage but if you look closely at last picture there is some damage on the leaf on top of one which was more affected.
So I wonder what it is?..
I wish experienced growers could comment on it
I would comment and keep reading the thread to see if there are any comments, but I really have no idea what's going on! I keep hoping to learn something from someone that has experienced something like this. Good luck!
Though I don't recall that the liquid exudate is typical, other aspects of this resemble mesophyll cell collapse. The inner cell layers of the leaf are damaged by exposure to cold air or water, and eventually collapse and the damage becomes visible on the surface, with symptoms often taking 6-8 weeks to show up. Is there any chance your plant was exposed to abnormally cold conditions or icy cold water a while back? Search for images of Phalaenopsis mesophyll cell collapse and see if the damage looks similar to you.
I had the same experience as you said the leaf secreting some sort like honey but the affected tissues basically changes to the abnormal color in long term they increasing the size and begin to attract bacterias and fungal I almost lost the plant then quickly get the sharp sterile knife cut the abnormal tissue and cover with fungicide/cinnamon powder. I think you have to do that I'm not sure what kind of organisms inside that tissue that actively producing honey.
I don't recall it being exposed either to cold conditions (its always indoor), even with open window few month ago it would be over 65F. I started mist it maybe month ago, but never with icy water. I think if it would be cold damage there would not be sticky liquid. So we can eliminate cold damage.
I think I have another phal having this problem now too.
I have been treating it with an insecticide for the last 3 days and the sap has stopped. I have not pulled it down from its hanging location and examined the underside of the one affected leaf with a jewelers loupe but will tonite. But the spots are healing over it seems.
---------- Post Merged at 09:53 AM ----------
It is growing a new leaf at the same time of this affliction in progress.
Ok here is update from my colleague entomologist:
It was not caused by insect! He said there are no holes as if insects would enter or exit the leaves.
It is not fungus or bacteria!
He thinks its mechanical/environmental. it might be not enough supplement or overdose of it (I did not treat my orchids with any fertilizer until few month before so maybe it was their reaction to it). And for last month it was exposed to more light (morning though) than it used to be.
Anyway on Wednesday night, I decided not to wait until the verdict what it is and added to alcohol neem oil and some dishwasher liquid (as per recipes ), maybe even some physan 20. I thought if it would not be salvageable it would not hurt.
So today morning it look like this:
Some damaged spots with number 1 and 2 were caused by me . there were some dots so to check if it insect I scratched it.
number 3 its something else , which was not there initially.
I will continue to apply mixture and monitor how it will look.
Harvey, looks like mine also ready to grow new leaf, I can see little bump inside the crown. And root that survived constant recent repotting got active again! I know constant repotting is not good thing but I had to do it.
This poor orchid was living for a year in orchid mix from Miracle Grow, never ever again I will buy this brand again, not only for orchids but for regular plants too.
)
Last edited by chemist; August 22nd, 2014 at 04:55 PM.
My latest issue under the phal leaf looks nothing like yours at this point in time. Mine looks like it has healed over and is now looking ok.
I hope yours recovers soon!