Gene: Physan won't hurt it, but I don't think it would be more than a
temporary fix, and you'd probably still have to wipe, afterward. The only
other tip I can offer is that we most often see this problem in an area of
"dead air space." I.e., where we have a fan out of service, or where other
plants are blocking the breeze. If you can increase air movement for this
particular plant, I think you'll see less of the black gunk. Kenni

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
news:1EQbf.3807$vC6.1406@trnddc05...
Nothing but glass is above this plant. It must be caused by something
being
exuded from the leaves.

Gene


"Steve" wrote in message
...
Gene Schurg wrote:
I've been watching this plant for the entire summer. The black crap
has
been there all summer and there has been no scale or mealies. That was
the
first thing I thought and I've checked it many times.

As Kenni said it's mostly makes the plant look "dirty" but doesn't seem
to
bother the health of the plant.

I'll wipe it off but as the plant grows larger this will be more of a
problem keeping it looking good. What about Physan? Would it hurt if
I
sprayed the plant to kill the mold? Is it mold?

Thanks for the replies,
Gene


Gene, what is above the plant? Are there other plants up higher?
Anything from other orchids to a shade tree? Black sooty mold is usually
from something dripping down from above, but it could be growing on sap
from within your plant as you suggest.
Before I did anything else, I would take the plant to a sink and get my
hands real soapy (dish soap is fine) and massage every leaf and
pseudobulb until it's all soapy and clean. Rinse all the soap completely
off. This should get rid of the mold, get rid of what the mold is living
on, and get rid of any microscopic critters that may (or may not) be
contributing to the problem.

Steve