Vuylstekeara bloom issues

[WhiteRabbit]

Vuyl. Melissa Brianne 'Shady Lady' -

I got this in autumn '08, it had two very nice spikes with lots of buds.
It initiated a spike in October last year. Then another in January. The first spike only just began to open blooms not long ago. Both spikes have a lot fewer buds than it had when I got it - I could live with that, and figure conditions weren't optimal to getting as many perhaps. But some of the buds and blooms seem deformed and not even opening properly, and the ones that seem not "deformed" still look quite a bit different from the blooms a year and a half ago.

Is anybody able to say what could have caused this?

This is potted in a chc mix and I don't believe it has been too dry. There is nice looking new growth. It was growing on east facing front porch. During winter I don't know that it gets a lot of direct sun. Also it did grow outside during winter and does not seem other wise worse for wear. So I don't know if the colder temps could be the reason or not.

First pic is of blooms when I got the plant, second pic is current.

[Swamper]

Odontoglossum ringspot tobamovirus, or 'color break' comes to mind. No bugs in the flowers right?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Odontoglossum ringspot tobamovirus, or 'color break' comes to mind. No bugs in the flowers right?

oh no! no - no bugs, not that I have seen
destroy this plant?

[Swamper]

Destroy? I wouldn't unless I was absolutely sure of what it was. Don't you have a University with a lab nearby you? I guess I'm spoiled down here.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Swamper

Destroy? I wouldn't unless I was absolutely sure of what it was. Don't you have a University with a lab nearby you? I guess I'm spoiled down here.

that's a good question - I don't know. Lots of universities around here, but I am clueless about labs. Hmm ... I guess I could try to find out. This plant cost $10 so not sure about getting it tested.
How do I find out about the possibility of getting it tested at a university?

I have been using a physan solution for "cleaning" cutters and pots, but read recently that may not be sufficient ? and now I am worried for other plants
So I guess it may be worth my while to get this one tested ... I don't know

[Rosiefuture]

Yes the blooms are amazingly different but I wouldn't destroy it. I never get rid of a plant until it's drawn it's last breath! The original blooms were lovely but the currents are very attractive too. I would just give it time and if it keep blooming each year then just accept it as a still very pretty orchid.

Marion

[Swamper]

It's worth it, especially because it cost you only 10 dollars. You'll have all your homework done for that dark day when one of your prized possessions catches a cold. I know that this is a wonderful place to get information, but you can't beat a live diagnosis.

[Ray]

That looks like a cultural issue to me.

In situations in which distractions led me to poor attentiveness, I have seen Oncidiinae intergenerics like this give crappy, deformed, misshapen blooms the first blooming, especially after a transplant, then return to normal on subsequent ones.

[johnblagg]

I agree with Ray ....I think a virus would make the blooms spotchy with color breaks and I really dont see that in yours.

do you have any problems with new growth being warped or streaked?-

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Swamper

It's worth it, especially because it cost you only 10 dollars. You'll have all your homework done for that dark day when one of your prized possessions catches a cold. I know that this is a wonderful place to get information, but you can't beat a live diagnosis.

true, that. need to mull this over lol
I just have a lot of things I need to deal with right now, and this is just another, and less important.
I am looking in to testing tho. Thanks for your input!