In most cases, black spots on orchids indicate bacterial infection, which initially is brown.
There can be a probability of bruising the orchid while transportation as well. Another primary reason for the black spot can be too much sunlight which it is getting than what they need.
If you are careful while handling the plant, then you can prevent the leaves from getting bruised.
Keeping the plant at a place in your house where the plant will get as much sunlight as it needs, you do not need to worry about the extra daylight, which will cause black spots.
The most difficult cause to deal with is a bacterial infection.
Try buying a good orchid plant and check the roots while purchasing the orchid plant because it is a wise thing to do and will help you in the long run.
The bacterial infection starts spreading from one orchid to another, so the best way to save the other orchids is to destroy the plant.
Over-watering is very harmful to the plant, so keep track and water the plants according to the weather.
It is preferable to water the orchids in the morning so that humidity does not occur and the plant uses the water. So, the only way to deal with black spots on orchid leaves is by finding out the leading cause.
What do black spots on orchid leaves mean?
Black spots on orchid is mainly the bacterial infection caused by Acidovorax, which occurs due to overwatering and lack of aeration. First, they are just small brown rings, so as soon as you can see them, chop off the leaves from the plant.
Everything depends on how well the orchid plant is maintained. Poor maintenance often leads to the occurrence of the spots.
The spot comes after the smearing of the brown, and when touched, a silky fluid is discharged from the orchid. So when the black blister occurs, the plant cannot be saved anymore. These spots are primarily seen in Phalaenopsis. If not appropriately treated while the sites are only on the leaf, then it will die.
These bacteria mainly grow because of humidity since they thrive on moisture. A high temperature is very favorable for bacterial growth. Ensure the water put on the plant is spotless as the bacteria Acidrovax transmits through the water.
The jar which you use to water should be cleaned thoroughly so that the opening does not get contaminated. Contaminated water causes many unnecessary problems, so it is always better to use clean jars to maintain hygiene.
Sterilize the instruments after cutting the leaves on which the black spots have appeared. Orchids bloom beautifully if they get the right environment, but when the black spots occur, it interprets something wrong, and the atmosphere is not acceptable.
First, the environment needs to be settled and make sure it does not favor bacterial growth to find the root cause.
By any chance, the leaves of the orchids turn dry yellowish. Then the plant is dead.
Many fungal bacteria cause rust on the leaves, and many times, the orchid is of weak origin and therefore is prone to bacterial infection.
Orchid leaves should be green, and disease and occurrence of black spots are not suitable for the plant.
Try your best to keep the plant safe and provide the best care possible to enhance the plant’s growth healthily.
Also read:
- Here’s how to repot an orchid with air roots: A complete guide
- Find out the reasons for orchid stem turning yellow
How to get rid of the black spots on orchids?
Try to lower the rate of fertilizing the plant as per its requirement. Mix water and dilute the concentration of the fertilizer and after fertilizing, splash water on the roots.
Over-fertilizing often causes the apex of the leaf to turn brown while leaving some salt in the soil.
So make sure that you are not overfertilizing the plant. During dehydration, watering the plants more helps in most cases, but at times the roots stop absorbing water which also is a problem.
Keeping a check on the plant and trimming off the infected areas and leaves will help to revive your orchid plant if it is infected.
As soon as you see the presence of the black spots, start with the treatment. If you do not treat the plant, the bacteria will spread and eventually kill the plant.
Switching on the fan in the room where you have kept the plant throughout the day is very important for proper air circulation.
Excess sunlight is also a factor, so keep the plant away from the glass window.
You can also draw the curtains of the window from where the direct sunlight enters the room.
The roots of the orchids should be healthy because if the roots die then, the plant will not get nutrients, so it will also die. These are all the possibilities since plants are sensitive as well.
Orchids are such plants, which require a lot of attention while it grows as it is easily prone to diseases. They need water just like other plants so that it does not turn dry facilitating the spread of the bacteria in itself.
They can resist themselves from the fungal or the bacterial pathogen when they grow at ideal room temperature.
Spacing and maintaining proper distance between the plants is necessary for the plant so that the black spots do not spread from one plant to another.
With the best sanitation and a disease-free environment, you can save your plant from the black spots, but the plant might still get infected, so this is a way to reduce the chances of getting infected.
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How do I treat black spots on my orchid leaves?
Here’s one thing which you can do by cleaning the plant.
You can either take a fungicide of your choice or hydrogen peroxide 3% concentration and put it on the leaves to prevent the spreading. [ Use this one as I got the really good results from it ]
Limiting the spread is very difficult, but this spraying will help you a lot. Use cotton balls to clean the affected area, and make sure you clean it in the upward direction. Also, another thing to keep in mind is to make sure the concentrates do not fall on other parts of the plant, so do it carefully. When you see many black spots are observed, then trim off the leaf.
Cinnamon is a fungicide that is natural and is often used in the solution. Physan is a chemical fungicide that is used in the solution as well. If you want to use cinnamon, then mix it with water and make a smooth paste. [ Take a look at this one here ]
After that, take a cotton ball, dip it in the paste and slowly rub it on the spots. Keep changing the cotton ball each time you start with a new leaf. Another thing to keep in mind is that you do not put the solution on the pores under the leaves, known as the stomata used for breathing by the plant.
The amount of solution which you will put depends on the amount of bacteria present. If you want to put a chemical fungicide, use Physan, which is available at a local plant shop. This process is verified, and you can use it to save your plant.
Buying from a good source is preferable. If you stay in India, buy from the Western Ghats, as extensive production of orchids is done in western ghats. If you have a gardener, buy him hydrogen peroxide, and guide him on treating the black spots.
Tell him to clean the orchid throughout the year with the solution where the black holes have occurred on the orchid leaves. I would advise you to use cinnamon as the best fungicide for your orchid plant as it is natural and has a good smell. Cinnamon is available in all local shops, and it will protect your orchid.
Other reason
Sometimes spots are mistaken as fungal leaf spots, which are mainly caused because of improper care.
A disorder named Oedema is caused due to overwatering when the roots of the orchid absorb more water than the plant loses due to evaporation.
This is why the spots occur, and people think it is a bacterial infection, but it is not.
When the black hole is caused due to bacterial infection, which is because of Acidovorax, the black spots spread.
Due to sunlight, the plant often gets bleached spots, and with time, the areas turn black, so make sure the plant is away from the sun.
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Conclusion
Orchids are beautiful but challenging to maintain, so if you want your plant to be healthy, take proper care, and when you are successful in keeping your plant healthy, the orchid will also make your home look even more beautiful.
Just adequate fertilizer, along with a good corner for the plant to grow, away from the sun and you are all set.
Watch while you water the orchid and moderately increase or decrease the amount as per the requirement of the plant.
Cover the orchid with a net so that the insects do not suck the juice from the orchid. Follow the directions carefully and watch your exotic orchids bloom beautifully.