Question
Hi Wayne,

    I live in South Florida and grow mostly phals outdoors in slatted baskets in a shaded eastern exposure. Lately I've noticed that my 2 oldest phals seem to have a problem. They are in bloom and the petals on the flowers are getting what looks like black water marks along the edges..almost like they're getting really wet, which they are not, and molding. Please tell me this is not a virus! I'd really hate to have to destroy them. Otherwise the plant is fine....new leaf growth...healthy roots. Please let me know what you think this could be.

   Also, real quick.....I just acquired my first paph, that's in bud. It's planted in DIRT and in a plastic pot. Should I transplant it asap, or leave it until it blooms? Naturally, there's nothing to help me identify the plant...it came from a home improvement store. All I can tell you is that it will have a green striped hood and a white "slipper"....I'm sure that helps a lot :-)

    Thank you for your time and information...my orchids and I appreciate the help!

    Sheryl

Answer
Sheryl, it is not likely that your phals have a virus from the symptoms you have described. It sounds like a fungus but if the flowers have been on the plant very long, it may be a part of the termination of flowering.  If the flowers are fairly fresh on the plant it sounds as if some of the buds got wet before they opened or as they opened. If the black areas come clean by using a q-tip in alcohol or listerine, it would be sooty mold.  That is more unsightly than a serious threat to the plant.  Be sure your leaves don't show the signs.  If they ever do, you will want to spray with a fungicide.

On the paph, I would leave it in the dirt for now as long as it is healthy.  Try to avoid keeping the dirt too wet until you can repot it in fine fir bark and perlite.  Please feel free to ask follow-up questions now, or in the future, as the need arises.