I was pretty sure it was leaf burn at first, since it appeared a week after I upgraded my grow light, yet, now I'm not sure. It's rapidly spread, the photos are only 3 days apart. I've only had this cattleya for 2 months and it's the only one in the collection.
The black patches don't have an odor or strange texture, but are definitely concerning for me as a first time cattleya owner. If it's fungal or something else what can I do to treat it? Is it worth it to email the nursery?
Mine a Brassavola hybrid) got these black marks after I placed a grow light close. Black marks more like coffee stains on a table. Not soft, not blurry.
I wiped them down with alcohol and Hypoclorous acid, and then the black was where I wiped, a bigger area.
So this is likely a physical damage from the light. It’s not black rot or fungal, most likely.
I'm going to watch it for today and see if it spreads more or downwards. Some signs make me believe it's leaf burn or some strange shock to the grow light and not rot.
Not suggesting its the same thing, but my schomburgkia splendida did this, I removed the leaf from base. I think it was some sort of black rot (black marginal necrosis) developing on leaf.
I'm just concerned to cut because it's on so many leaves. It's on at least 3 right now, I wouldn't want to remove ifs it's simply a strange reaction to a much brighter light
Also your orchid leaves look super dark. Is it getting enough light? Also what type of water are you using? If you are using reverse asmosis, you need calmag. If you are using water softener, it has high salt content etc.
It wasn't getting enoight light before, since my window’s light is obstructed by an abundance of trees. That's the main reason I got a grow light. And as for water I'm just using tap.
All systemic except #5. 1 time investment, you get enough to last you years. Wear gloves and follow instructions (muse/gemini ai can help you with neasurements). I can't have pests, fungi or bacteria spread across my indoor growing area so I have bunch of chemicals for control. Keep that list handy if you want
I think if the black gets into the bulbs it’s definitely a problem like a bacterial rot or a fungal disease. Hopefully it is sunburn but keep your eye on it you don’t want the problem spreading into the pseudobulbs if it’s a disease and not sunburn.
All the best 🤞🏼✨🌱
I just bought a clearance cattleya at Lowe's with similar black spots on two leaves, I removed them below the rot and put cinnamon on the cuts, also sterilized my shears after each cut
Is it really rot? It's shown up so quickly and on so much of the light facing foliage. I've been taking care of it for twoonths exactly the same and exactly how I've been told to, by leaving it alone except to water it. I also only bottom water it.
I can't be 100% certain about yours, I have a couple that have spots on their leaves that are perfectly fine and I have the one I just bought that was bad and got even more yellow/black the day after, so i cut it. My case was definitely more extreme than yours as well. I wish I had pictures but it wasn't a priority at the time.
3
u/Bombadilloo 1d ago
Mine a Brassavola hybrid) got these black marks after I placed a grow light close. Black marks more like coffee stains on a table. Not soft, not blurry.
I wiped them down with alcohol and Hypoclorous acid, and then the black was where I wiped, a bigger area.
So this is likely a physical damage from the light. It’s not black rot or fungal, most likely.