Not a paph expert here but sounds like rust, a fungus relative, which I have heard paphs can be prone to. Very common on serviceberries, crab apple, and hollyhocks. Makes the crab apples and service berries look like orange spikey balls. Sheds too and makes an unsightly mess.

Google around for rust and see if anything looks familiar to your situation. The fact that its orange, spotty, and came off a little when rubbed is what makes me think rust. But absent a picture it's hard to tell you for certain.

Does sound like rust. I have it all over my Plumerias. Orange and the leaves are turning brown. You really can't get rid of it, try to catch it early to stop it from spreading. My plants lost all their leaves last year at this time. I was told alcohol and water in a spray bottle to keep it under control. Because my Plumies were in the ground, I didn't keep up with it and they were totally defoliated.

It doesn't seem to hurt the plant but does cause the lost of leaves. Not sure about Phaphs though. I don't think you want to lose all the leaves. Try the alcohol spray.

Jane

Are you sure it isn't spider mites? Your description of the pin pricks on top of the leaf and the orange underneath is also the description of spider mite damage.

If it is spider mites you will need a miticide to eliminate them.

Brooke

In the past, I usually had an issue with my phals and spider mites more than my paphs. But I'd check very closely for those tiny webs under the leaves.

I hate spider mites worse than mealies or scale. They will kill/ruin stuff and by the time you find them, they are pretty much established. I had great luck using AVID. Very expensive ($100/8 oz) but a little goes a very long way. I was able to get some (BTW: Based on reading indoor lighting sites, blogs and links, AVID is the preferred method to kill Spider Mites by the indoor 'herb' farmers who really know their stuff when it comes to these things.

Good luck,

Bob

I had a major problem with spider mites and used a generic for AVID with the same chemical ingredient. The local gardenshop (LA county) would not sell to me since I don't have some kind of Applicator's permit but a similar place in Orange county let me have it. Smallest portion was 1 quart for $120. They recommended weekly application for 4 weeks of alternating AVID with Malathion. Then monthly application of AVID for at least 3 month until there is 100% assurance that the mites are gone.

The most difficult thing was to get the stuff UNDER the leaves since that is where the mites are. Had to take some plants and turn them upside down. Just spraying the top of the leaves does not do it. I'm pretty relaxed about mealies and aphids but use heavy artillery when it comes to spider mites they are difficult to erase and they will kill plants.

Nick

Thx everyone. I'll try to post pics this evening. Doctor appt today. Sheila

Indoor 'herb' farmers... Hmmmmm. Do they grow rosemary and thyme?!? lol

To see spider mites I use a jewelers loop (magnifier).