Are these spots contagious to my other plants?

If the spots are caused by scale insects, yes, they can spread quickly. Isolate the affected orchid until you are sure the pests are gone.

Should I cut off leaves with spots?

Only remove leaves if the spots are large, spreading, or if the leaf is dying. Always use a clean, sharp tool to prevent spreading infection.

Dendrobium Orchid: spots, causes and fixes

Check these first

Scrape the spots with your fingernail to see if they move or come off.
Check if the spots are soft or sunken.
Ensure the plant has good airflow.

Likely causes

Scale Insects
Most likely
How to tell: You see small, brown, raised bumps on the leaves or stems that can be scraped off with a fingernail.
What to do: Dab the spots with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the insects. Repeat this process every 7 days until the infestation is gone.
Fungal Infection
Possible
How to tell: Small, dark, or sunken spots appear on the leaves, often with a yellow halo around them.
What to do: Improve air circulation around the plant by using a small fan. Keep the leaves dry when watering and remove any severely affected leaves with sterilized scissors.

Find out what's wrong with your dendrobium orchid

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

Worry if the spots are spreading rapidly or causing the leaves to turn yellow and die. Small, harmless blemishes from past physical damage are usually nothing to worry about.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the foliage dry and ensure there is a gentle breeze around your plant to prevent fungal growth.

Keep your dendrobium orchid healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Are these spots contagious to my other plants?: If the spots are caused by scale insects, yes, they can spread quickly. Isolate the affected orchid until you are sure the pests are gone.
Should I cut off leaves with spots?: Only remove leaves if the spots are large, spreading, or if the leaf is dying. Always use a clean, sharp tool to prevent spreading infection.

What are these spots on my Dendrobium leaves?