Sticky rust-colored secretion on Phal. stem

[Natalie_rose]

Hi!

I am new to this forum, and wanted to ask a question about one of my orchids. I recently found a sticky, rust-colored secretion on the tip of its stem (see image below). I don't know what it is, but it destroyed a developing bud, and the tip of the stem now appears limp, as if the cells within were also "eaten." I'm very upset, and wanted to know: do any of you know what this is? How should I treat this ailment? And should I quarantine the orchid? I appreciate your time and assistance!

[chemist]

Something is definitely not right. As you said its good idea to isolate this one from other plants.

I had few phal with sap on spike, dots only not like on your picture, so later on i discover it was thrips. Systematic pesticide helped.
Do you see any very small insects? You might need magnified glass to see them.
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[ksriramkumar]

Good suggestion from Svetlana. Wipe it with a cotton swab , isolate and watch closely.

[Natalie_rose]

Thanks, Svetlana! I will definitely follow your advice. I don't see small insects on this particular orchid, but I do have another orchid nearby on the windowsill with rust-colored dots on the spike. It is possible that they are both infected, and I wasn't careful enough to prevent the disease (or thrips) from spreading.

[chemist]

Dont blame yourself! Those indects really hard to see and i just did not get it where they came from in a middle if the winter especially that i did not have them in summer and autumn.
If it really thrips or other insects you will need to use pesticides once a week for few consecutive week (3-4) otherwise they come back.

In summer i had situation when on other phal i had those sticky dots on the leaves, later on the place where dots were you could see tissue was different ( like empty inside). I took it to work where entomologist look at affected leaf under microscope and did not find any evidence of any insects presents... I was wiping leaves with 50% rubbing alcohol few times a day for few days and leaves reconstructed themself. No one here could explain what affected it and why it got better after alcohol treatment.

I wish you best of luck in saving your phals!!!!
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