Hey Everyone,

Each morning I set my phal. on my shaded porch for the day...since summer is coming on, it's around 80 each day, humid, modest breeze...and then at night I bring it in so that there's a nice temp difference.

Anyway, last night I noticed a thin scale on one of the leaves. It was imbedded (not on top of) the leaf and was as long as a pinkie nail is wide. It was very thin. There was a similar mark on one of the flowers, as well as a small round circle of a similar silver-brown color on a separate flower. I rubbed the leaf with an alcohol pad and did the same to the flower. Am I being paranoid?

I've also noticed a few slight nibbles at the fringes of the flowers--any way to prevent this? Enclosing the porch in wire mesh is probably not an option for me, as I rent my residence. Are there any good sprays people can recommend? Or should I keep the plants indoors? I have two very decent fluorescent lights set up for days when it's storming or when the sun is directly on the porch (late afternoon). I guess it boils down to "What are the thingies on my plants?" and "Is it worth it to keep them outside?"

Thanks so much--for those on the edges of your seats, I trimmed the dying flower (from my other Phal.) with a sterilized scissors. The patient made it through surgery and I didn't even have to use the shock paddles! Much relieved.