Black Spots

[Dorothy]

I have had a Phalaenopsis Orchids for 12 months. Just recently, I have started to see little shiny black dots around the base of the leaves and some on the leaf. They are about the size of a period and I can easily wipe them off.

So far, I've been wiping the dots off the leaves with water and diluted dish soap.

What are these spots and how should I get rid of them?

[ophrys]

Dorothy I am not sure by your description what those black spots are but they could be fungus mites - and if they are those can be treated with malathion (or so I heard).

[Ashraf61]

Dorothy, post photo of leaves for better understanding

[Hakulady]

Dorothy, I agree with Ophrys that you may have a case of fungus and spraying with a fungicide that is recommended for orchids (and at the strength recommended) may be your best bet. If you can catch it in what could be the early stages, you may be able to avoid a worse problem. I have been using Safers fungicide but there are others on the market. Please read the directions carefully and follow all directions. Good luck!

[Dorothy]

I'm going to snap a picture of the spots over the next few days. Unfortunately I wiped them off yesterday, but they seem to re-appear over a few days. So I'll post a picture soon.

But like I said they look like little shiny black dots, almost like black pepper sprinkled on the base of the leaves.

[Dorothy]

Also, I just realized something else. I have just placed an african violet on the same table next to my orchid plant. I wonder if they came from that?

[Hakulady]

Dorothy, I'm not sure if diseases can come from other plants in the general vicinity but I wouldn't count that out at all. Unfortunately, most of us have limited space and our interests tend to go beyond just orchids. Perhaps we need to be more vigilant about providing opportunities for 'bad' things to happen to our orchids by unintentionally introducing them. I would move the violet just to be on the safe side and if the spots reappear again, I would use a safe fungicide treatment following directions carefully. Good luck!

[Dorothy]

How exactly do I attach a photo within my posts?

[Hakulady]

Dorothy, see my message in another thread where you asked the same question. I will look forward to seeing your photo.