I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Can anyone tell me what the problem is? I can't find any creepy
crawlies of any sort. The plant has just produced one brand-new, green
and shiny leaf but it didn't flower this year. Not surprising.

I've already lost one phal to a similar problem and I see the tell-tale
dark and light areas showing up on other phals.

Any help gratefully accepted.
Norma

Hi Norma, Not sure but we have had other people with this same
problem & I lost my whole collection of phals & had tried all sorts
of sprays.
If I were you, I would get some fresh pots & potting mix,
wash everything down with a bleach & water solution.
Spray or soak plants with Physan before repotting. You could
also try cinnamon on any cut leaves & be careful to use sterile
cutting tools. If its a virus it will spread by using the same
cutters etc.
Good luck.

--
Cheers Wendy

Remove PETERPAN for email reply

Nell wrote:
I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a
post with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Can anyone tell me what the problem is? I can't find any creepy
crawlies of any sort. The plant has just produced one brand-new, green
and shiny leaf but it didn't flower this year. Not surprising.

I've already lost one phal to a similar problem and I see the
tell-tale dark and light areas showing up on other phals.

Any help gratefully accepted.
Norma

It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
I got advice from dozens of people. Several thought they knew what it
was but didn't really. Some have the exact same problem and it seems to
be incurable. I was really hoping it was a fungus and that a fungicide
might cure it. I now have a great collection of fungicides but not a cure.
If you find that the new leaves look normal as they grow but then start
showing symptoms after the leaf reaches full size, you probably have the
same problem. One of the people who seem to have this same problem
recently gave leaves to a plant pathologist who found no fungus or
bacteria. They even looked for virus with an electron microscope and
found nothing that looked like a virus. This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve



Nell wrote:
I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Can anyone tell me what the problem is? I can't find any creepy
crawlies of any sort. The plant has just produced one brand-new, green
and shiny leaf but it didn't flower this year. Not surprising.

I've already lost one phal to a similar problem and I see the tell-tale
dark and light areas showing up on other phals.

Any help gratefully accepted.
Norma

Judging from your pictures, it looks like my long gone Dtps. Tinny
Beauty fell to the same illness. It probably would've sent out basal
keikis, but when I bought it, the root system was in bad shape as well,
and I guess it couldn't handle things. If someone ever finds out what
it might be, I'd be most interested in knowing.

Cheers,
Xi

Steve wrote:
It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
I got advice from dozens of people. Several thought they knew what it
was but didn't really. Some have the exact same problem and it seems to
be incurable. I was really hoping it was a fungus and that a fungicide
might cure it. I now have a great collection of fungicides but not a cure.
If you find that the new leaves look normal as they grow but then start
showing symptoms after the leaf reaches full size, you probably have the
same problem. One of the people who seem to have this same problem
recently gave leaves to a plant pathologist who found no fungus or
bacteria. They even looked for virus with an electron microscope and
found nothing that looked like a virus. This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve



Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a
post with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Can anyone tell me what the problem is? I can't find any creepy
crawlies of any sort. The plant has just produced one brand-new, green
and shiny leaf but it didn't flower this year. Not surprising.

I've already lost one phal to a similar problem and I see the
tell-tale dark and light areas showing up on other phals.

Any help gratefully accepted.
Norma

On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT, Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Does anyone know how to access ABPO. it seems that my ISP do not
carry those groups. `?
Kind Regards

Stephan in Denmark
Visit vb.premiumrx.dk for more info.

(I try to Google and I use Copernic Agent before I ask)

Most ISP's can be "cajoled" into carrying new newsgroups - just call and
ask. If they agree, it may take a few days for the servers to catch up.

If they won't, your stuck with either a pay service like Giganews.com, or
possibly a free service. Try searching for "Free NNTP".

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"Stephan Walther Larsen" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT, Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Does anyone know how to access ABPO. it seems that my ISP do not
carry those groups. `?
Kind Regards

Stephan in Denmark
Visit vb.premiumrx.dk for more info.

(I try to Google and I use Copernic Agent before I ask)

Most ISP's can be "cajoled" into carrying new newsgroups - just call and
ask. If they agree, it may take a few days for the servers to catch up.

If they won't, your stuck with either a pay service like Giganews.com, or
possibly a free service. Try searching for "Free NNTP".

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"Stephan Walther Larsen" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT, Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Does anyone know how to access ABPO. it seems that my ISP do not
carry those groups. `?
Kind Regards

Stephan in Denmark
Visit vb.premiumrx.dk for more info.

(I try to Google and I use Copernic Agent before I ask)

Stephan Walther Larsen wrote in message . ..
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT, Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Does anyone know how to access ABPO. it seems that my ISP do not
carry those groups. `?
Kind Regards

Stephan in Denmark
Visit vb.premiumrx.dk for more info.

(I try to Google and I use Copernic Agent before I ask)

Here's a link to an "archive" that's free, the most recent post is yesterday!
http://www.usenet-replayer.com/cgi/content/archive

Stephan Walther Larsen wrote in message . ..
On Sun, 12 Sep 2004 16:31:26 GMT, Nell wrote:

I cut three very sad-looking leaves off my phal yesterday after months
of watching it go from bad to worse. See picture of the leaves in a post
with the same subject line in alt.binaries.pictures.orchids.

Does anyone know how to access ABPO. it seems that my ISP do not
carry those groups. `?
Kind Regards

Stephan in Denmark
Visit vb.premiumrx.dk for more info.

(I try to Google and I use Copernic Agent before I ask)

Here's a link to an "archive" that's free, the most recent post is yesterday!
http://www.usenet-replayer.com/cgi/content/archive

I believe that my phals do indeed have the mystery disease.

Someone wrote to me offlist to say that he had had a similar problem
with his phals which turned out to be flat mites. He used something
called Safer (which I assume to be an insecticidal soap) and it took
care of the problem. I was excited when I read this and intended to
spray my plants tonight.

Then I went to the site Steve mentioned and which I also found via other
searching:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html

This has the most in-depth discussion of the problem that I've found
anywhere. Alas, it seems that flat mites are likely not the cause at
all. I'm thinking that I will try the soap anyway, but if it doesn't
help, I'm just going to bite the bullet and throw out my phals. (They
all have the problem). I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Steve wrote:

It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
..
..
..
This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve

I believe that my phals do indeed have the mystery disease.

Someone wrote to me offlist to say that he had had a similar problem
with his phals which turned out to be flat mites. He used something
called Safer (which I assume to be an insecticidal soap) and it took
care of the problem. I was excited when I read this and intended to
spray my plants tonight.

Then I went to the site Steve mentioned and which I also found via other
searching:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html

This has the most in-depth discussion of the problem that I've found
anywhere. Alas, it seems that flat mites are likely not the cause at
all. I'm thinking that I will try the soap anyway, but if it doesn't
help, I'm just going to bite the bullet and throw out my phals. (They
all have the problem). I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Steve wrote:

It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
..
..
..
This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve

This seems to be a very pervasive problem, one that you'd think the Ag
department would want to know about and solve. After all phals are a big
crop plant.

K Barrett

"Nell" wrote in message
.rogers.com...
I believe that my phals do indeed have the mystery disease.

Someone wrote to me offlist to say that he had had a similar problem
with his phals which turned out to be flat mites. He used something
called Safer (which I assume to be an insecticidal soap) and it took
care of the problem. I was excited when I read this and intended to
spray my plants tonight.

Then I went to the site Steve mentioned and which I also found via other
searching:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html

This has the most in-depth discussion of the problem that I've found
anywhere. Alas, it seems that flat mites are likely not the cause at
all. I'm thinking that I will try the soap anyway, but if it doesn't
help, I'm just going to bite the bullet and throw out my phals. (They
all have the problem). I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Steve wrote:

It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
.
.
.
This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve

This seems to be a very pervasive problem, one that you'd think the Ag
department would want to know about and solve. After all phals are a big
crop plant.

K Barrett

"Nell" wrote in message
.rogers.com...
I believe that my phals do indeed have the mystery disease.

Someone wrote to me offlist to say that he had had a similar problem
with his phals which turned out to be flat mites. He used something
called Safer (which I assume to be an insecticidal soap) and it took
care of the problem. I was excited when I read this and intended to
spray my plants tonight.

Then I went to the site Steve mentioned and which I also found via other
searching:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html

This has the most in-depth discussion of the problem that I've found
anywhere. Alas, it seems that flat mites are likely not the cause at
all. I'm thinking that I will try the soap anyway, but if it doesn't
help, I'm just going to bite the bullet and throw out my phals. (They
all have the problem). I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Steve wrote:

It resembles what I have been fighting in my Phal collection for 2
years. When I say fighting, I really mean watching it win. I made a web
site to show the problem to people in the hopes that someone knew how to
cure it:
http://www.geocities.com/tlswilso/Ph...s_2-15-04.html
.
.
.
This thing has turned out to be
quite a mystery and I hope you don't have that disease. Your pictures
lead me to believe you do.

Steve

Nell wrote:
.....I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Norma, I have had Paphs growing in with the diseased Phals since before
the Phal problem started. The Paphs are healthy and doing fine.
On the other hand, my Dendrobiums developed a spot disease about the
same time the Phals started and it doesn't seem to go away with
fungicides. It behaves quite a bit like the Phal disease. Many of my
Oncidium alliance plants have gone down hill as well but I can't say
their problem resembles the Phal disease. The Dendrobiums and Oncidiums
are normally not in the same area as the Phals but when they are in
bloom I often place them there for a while.

Steve

PS Here's a picture, taken last year, of the Dendrobium disease:
http://stevewilson.homestead.com/fil...e5_31_03_2.jpg
That plant I've had for around 20 years. It was never a great bloomer
but until recent years, it had nearly perfect, unblemished leaves. Now
it seems that every leaf starts in with the spots as the leaf matures.

Nell wrote:
.....I'm just hoping it doesn't infect my paphs, oncs
and whatever others I have.

[sigh]
Norma

Norma, I have had Paphs growing in with the diseased Phals since before
the Phal problem started. The Paphs are healthy and doing fine.
On the other hand, my Dendrobiums developed a spot disease about the
same time the Phals started and it doesn't seem to go away with
fungicides. It behaves quite a bit like the Phal disease. Many of my
Oncidium alliance plants have gone down hill as well but I can't say
their problem resembles the Phal disease. The Dendrobiums and Oncidiums
are normally not in the same area as the Phals but when they are in
bloom I often place them there for a while.

Steve

PS Here's a picture, taken last year, of the Dendrobium disease:
http://stevewilson.homestead.com/fil...e5_31_03_2.jpg
That plant I've had for around 20 years. It was never a great bloomer
but until recent years, it had nearly perfect, unblemished leaves. Now
it seems that every leaf starts in with the spots as the leaf matures.