My first fatality? - Orchid Board

catgrrrl · #1 07-01-2009, 11:52 AM

Can anyone give me some advice?...

About 3 1/2 weeks ago, I got 4 phals of various types from Norman's. I had isolated them from my others orchids, and within 1 1/2 weeks of receiving them, one started exhibiting certain signs. A few of the flowers' edges turned brown and withered away. I thought it was just due to the age of the blooms (since it came that way from Norman's.) Then within a few more days, I noticed some of the leaves in the middle (not any of the outer top leaves) have developed mottled, grey/brown pits on the tops and bottoms and are turning yellow, and it's spreading to other areas of the plant. It looks very much like all of the pictures I've seen of the CymMv virus. I left it isolated because I haven't had the heart to dump it. I think I just have to do it.

Right?

This is the same group I purchased from Norman's in which I got a Phal. Bellina that had signs of previous crown rot. Now one of the leaves of that plant developed a wierd yellowing tip that became more and more see-through and seemed to be spreading up the leaf. I decided to cut off the yellowing tip part with a sterilized shear and I dusted the leaf edge with cinnamon. I should have a taken a picture and posted it to see if anyone had any ideas, but I couldn't find my camera cable to download it - and it was just growing and constantly taunting me... I guess I should just keep and eye on it and hope that one doesn't have something nasty, too.

What would anyone of you do?

I'm not enjoying the ones I got from Norman's...

camille1585 · #2 07-01-2009, 12:16 PM

Do you have pictures of the pitted plant? It might not be virus at all. Pitting can be caused by a lot of other factors, from fungi/bacteria to misting cold water on a hot plant in the sun.
Have you contacted Norman's about it?

catgrrrl · #3 07-01-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camille1585

Do you have pictures of the pitted plant? It might not be virus at all. Pitting can be caused by a lot of other factors, from fungi/bacteria to misting cold water on a hot plant in the sun.
Have you contacted Norman's about it?

Hey, Camille. I will try to post pictures. I think I know where the cable to my camera is.

I have not contacted Norman's as I read on another thread that they have no guarantee re: viruses - unless I purchased a phytosanitary certificate from them when I got the plant. (Plus, I've had it for almost a month, now, and couldn't they easily say that the plant got it from my other orchids - right?)

Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

Cookiemonster · #4 07-01-2009, 01:01 PM

I am going to put my 2 cents here---
I have bought from Normans in the past and out of 4 plants, I only have one today.

Please post some pics of whats going on--- that will probably be the only way we can decipher your problem-
I have always kept these new purchases isolated (thank goodness!!) because within a week of the plant arriving, the plant starts acting up, from either the worlds tighest packed sphagnum or some random fungus/virus and takes the plant downhill. I've gotten a refund twice, and stay away from them now. Im sure people's experience with them are on both sides of the fence, just thought Id share my own.

Good luck

catgrrrl · #5 07-01-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

I am going to put my 2 cents here---
I have bought from Normans in the past and out of 4 plants, I only have one today.

Please post some pics of whats going on--- that will probably be the only way we can decipher your problem-
I have always kept these new purchases isolated (thank goodness!!) because within a week of the plant arriving, the plant starts acting up, from either the worlds tighest packed sphagnum or some random fungus/virus and takes the plant downhill. I've gotten a refund twice, and stay away from them now. Im sure people's experience with them are on both sides of the fence, just thought Id share my own.

Good luck

I have to say that is how I'm feeling about Norman's, now, too. The one with the mottled, pitted, yellowing leaves just looks sicker and sicker each day. It really is stressful looking at the poor thing.

Cookiemonster · #6 07-01-2009, 01:31 PM

Catgrrl-
If I were you I would take pics and email it to them and let them know your dissatisfaction with their plants, if they stand behind them usually they'll try to see what went wrong and go from there hopefully with some kind of a refund-- if they get defensive then maybe cut your losses early and pitch em (if they get worse) ...

I dont know how long you've been growing but a grower's reputation in the orchid community is all they got, try to buy from growers that sell quality plants and ensure customer service is their priority!!
Please post some pics! That will help us out greatly.

catgrrrl · #7 07-01-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Catgrrl-
If I were you I would take pics and email it to them and let them know your dissatisfaction with their plants, if they stand behind them usually they'll try to see what went wrong and go from there hopefully with some kind of a refund-- if they get defensive then maybe cut your losses early and pitch em (if they get worse) ...

I dont know how long you've been growing but a grower's reputation in the orchid community is all they got, try to buy from growers that sell quality plants and ensure customer service is their priority!!
Please post some pics! That will help us out greatly.

Thanks, Cookiemonster. Hopefully, I will be able to get some pictures on my computer tonight to email to Norman's and to post here.

I just started with orchids - pretty much a month ago. I have been researching for probably 6 months before I actually got any plants. I googled reviews of Norman's and while there were some dissatisfied customers, there were some pretty good ones, too. I didn't know about this board then. I wish I did.

catgrrrl · #8 07-01-2009, 08:44 PM

Thank you for responding, everyone. I found my camera cable and will post pics in the Pest & Diseases forum which I guess is where it should go.

camille1585 · #9 07-01-2009, 08:46 PM

Actually I think it might be better to put the pics here, with the rest of the thread. That way all the information is together. You can always ask a mod to move the entire thread to the pests and diseases section if you would like.

catgrrrl · #10 07-01-2009, 09:10 PM

Ok, Camille. I already put it in that thread, but I will try to delete it or post that I put the pics here with all of the original information.

Attached are the pictures. The leaf in the last picture was tight on the plant yesterday. Tonight when I got home I gave it a little tug and it came right off. The yellowing is now moving up the spike and all of the flowers are wilting.