Hello everyone,
Okay since the last time I posted about my mite problem that I had. A new problem has arisen.
I got these chlorotic blotches that are appearing on some of my plants my Oncidiums and Ondontoglossums. Mind you not all plants have this blotching, but recently I picked up a new Cymbidium and these have appeared over the last few days at my house. The reason why I say at my house is I do not keep the Cymbidium with the rest of my collection, this guy is kept outside unless it is freezing. So I'm just trying to figure out if this is actually a pest or disease. At first I was thinking it was scale but after many treatments it just does not seem to go away. I've tried all the usual methods rubbing alcohol wiping down the leaves cotton swab and some natural pesticides you know, Neem, clove oil, the Dr. Bronner's insecticidal soap method and i'm not sure now what to do.
I will go ahead and post some pics and maybe I can get to feel from the replies of what it might be.
Please feel free to chime in on any info that you can give me. And all responses are greatly appreciated.
This is the plant in question


This is the plant at 60 times magnification

This is same plant at 100 times magnification

And This is plant or leaf as you would see it with the naked eye

It looks like Phyllosticta Leaf Spot to me but then I can only judge from your pictures. It can occur on Cymbidiums, Oncidiums and Ondontoglossums but is perhaps more serious on Dendrobiums. It is usually not a severe problem but rather cosmetic. Spots may start anywhere on the leaf or pseudobulb as small yellow lesions. As they continue to grow, they become round or oval and are slightly sunken. The black spots in the center are the spores of the fungus. This disease is usually not that serious but if you want to attack it, try a mancozeb fungicide as a foliar spray.

Jim

I have seen some of this occur on my large Den. over the years, but really, compared to lots of "blemishes" on my orchids, I never really worried about what I was seeing. I think when it does occur, the older leaves are where I see it. The plant is very healthy, has bloomed every year (now has 8 inflorescence stems), so as Jim pointed out, it may be more cosmetic than anything else.

Tony,
I have nothing to add to this, but I just came across your thread about watering Orchids, set ups and more , and I will link it here for interest.
The thread "Watering" in Ask a Question forum

I do have a question, can you please share your Camera set up on your Microscope? At least I think that is what I am seeing...

Ursula, I clicked on your link and wound up answering someone else's question. I could keep busy for hours over there. It's just like working the MG Desk at the Extension Service.

Jim

Funny!
I am sure you do well in that forum, Jim!
Heh, our Ken just about lives there, doing a good job answering question.

BTW it makes a difference where one clicks on those ATP links, I found.

I do not really get bothered by the blemishes on my orchid leaves. My mini-cyms look way worst than that, but as long as it is growing new leaves, new pbs and the pbs are staying firm and rock hard, am okay with it.

My Oncidiums always gets a lot of blemishes too, for whatever reason..have learned to ignore it. Oftentimes, the orchid will just eventually drop the leaf anyways and new growth will come out later on. I guess I am tougher on them.

I am more concerned if I see little crawlies like scales..that I have to address and remove with alcohol swabs.

with you Tarev. Some blemishes on leaves you just have to live with, especially if you grow orchids outdoors. Expecting perfection is going to disappoint you, or drive you crazy. I'm glad to know what causes those little spots, though!

Jim, I get caught up on the Ask a Question forum at times, too. It's sort of fun.

As I tell anyone who will listen to me - few! - I don't grow my orchids for the beauty of the plant but for the beauty of their flowers. Of course, I will be the first to admit, beauty is and always has been in the eye of the beholder.

Oh oh!! Ken, some people might report you to the Orchid police for saying that!!!!
......as Ursula mutters and walks away, visualizing plants with pretty varigations, patterns, and "braided"/distichous leaves AND then in bloom too.....

My "jewel orchids" have nice-looking leaves, but that's about it. But my orchids are like children. I love the ugly ones as much as the pretty ones.

I'm on the fence on this one, because I do have a few that have very nice foliage, including the gorgeous braided Den. anceps , a Paph (which never blooms) and a Phal with variegation, and two colors of jewel orchids.

But the majority of my orchids are not all that pretty, when they're not in bloom. Mostly living outdoors in Florida, I'm sure, gives them more chance to develop marks and stuff on the leaves, hard as I do try to protect them.

Elaine, not to think twice about it, Orchids growing in nature certainly don't always look like show pieces either!

That is so true, Ursula. And mine certainly could be mistaken for 'wild' orchids at times especially in summer. I do have some leaves with cold damage from last week's cool nights, too, but not too bad.

You have many more mature plants that are beautiful even when they aren't in bloom, and of course Ken never keeps very many of his to a mature size so doesn't have the luxury of seeing what they look like when they're in their glory.

I found a little bit more scale starting, so just got through spraying again with the dormant oil spray, went to get the hose to rinse everyone off and the skies opened. It is raining like summertime now, but still thankfully nice and warm, so the 'chids will get a good rinse with rain water, then I'll have to lug their dripping pots and baskets into the house later, as the cold front passes and the temps will drop before morning. We are looking at lows in the 40's every night this week, sadly. At least I am home and can protect everyone, but it's looking like lots of schlepping back and forth will be going on.

That's kind of chilly for you, Elaine. That same front you will be getting is coming through now, but it has been a dry front, with no rain whatsoever. Perhaps the rain you are getting is coming in off the Gulf. We are supposed to be down into the lower 20's by Thursday/Friday.

On the other coast we're supposed to be up to 87 by Thurs. with lows in the mid 50s.

Just rub it in, Carol, rub it in!

I want Spring!!!!!

Ah, a little out of the topic here..but just sharing something Spring-like for Ursula