Is my Vanda orchid diseased?

[sourjya]

Hi all,
I bought a pair of Vanda orchids online. One of them looks fine and healthy but the other one had black bruising on the leaves more than halfway up the plant.

The articles I read.on the net suggest that black spots that increase in size indicate fungal infection. However, these do Not look like spots - but long stretches of bruising like on a banana skin.



I am not sure as to what corrective action to take till I can figure out what exactly is wrong with it.

Actively seeking thoughts / suggestions.

Thank you.

[SouthPark]

If it is assumed to be fungal activity, then maybe a copper spray treatment or monterey garden phos (aka agri-fos) could be used - just in case.

How long have those orchids been growing on that tree roughly? And was the bruising there when the orchid arrived?

Bruising can also occur if orchids are exposed to say very cold temperature during transportation, or exposed to some extreme temperature condition.

[sourjya]

Hi SouthPark,
Thanks for your reply. They've been on that tree for about 4-5 days - ever since I received them.

The bruising was there on the one in front when the package arrived and it increased a bit since then. The other one (if you look to the left) appears healthy.

They were shipped to me in a long cardboard box with crumpled paper padding between the two - am guessing, not the best way to do this.

Keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that this was caused by bad shipping. Will try the anti-fungal, just in case.

[SouthPark]

You're most welcome sourjya. If applying treatments - apply very early morning - not when very hot or sunny. Or apply just before sunset maybe.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

What are the temperatures day/night and humidity where you live? Where the orchid came from? In very warm and humid climates many plants look like this. Or, bruising from damage in transit can permit fungus to enter.

If you live in a summer-monsoon climate, you might find it useful to subscribe to the E-mail newsletter from Motes Orchids in Florida. Each month they send out information about what to do that month for Vandas.

[Fredmax]

I have encountered similar marks on one of mine since cool weather, I cut the affected leaves off to not risk it spreading but this may not be practical on your plant.

[sourjya]

Originally Posted by Fredmax

I have encountered similar marks on one of mine since cool weather, I cut the affected leaves off to not risk it spreading but this may not be practical on your plant.

Thank you for your reply. I'm in a hot and humid tropical climate. Will try snipping off some and watch out for the reaction.

Regards.

[Clawhammer]

Are there marks like this on the other side of the plant?

[sourjya]

@Clawhammer: Yes - both sides of the leaves are bruised similarly.

Only consolation is that it's been nearly two weeks like this - but the plant looks healthy and holding up so far. So I'm banking my hopes on bruising / damage due to transportation.

[estación seca]

Now that I see the photo on my desktop computer, I'm fairly sure it is either sunburn or mechanical damage from shipping. Does the plant ever get direct sunshine where it is now? You say the other side looks like this, too. Was that side ever exposed to direct sunshine?