Odd bleached areas on orchid leaves

[OrchidThief79]

I bought a laelia hybrid from a nursery online, and when I received it, I noticed these rather large white, bleached areas on 4 or 5 leaves (see photos). The marks are irregular in shape and slightly sunken. Could this be sunburn? I'm worried its bacterial, fungal, or viral, but I can't imagine they would send me this plant if it was visibly infected with something. Any thoughts?

[ezil]

It does look like a type of burn to me. I can't tell if its sunburn. I would keep an eye on it, but you probably have it isolated from your other plants anyway. If it seems to spread, cut out the affected parts (or whole leaf) and treat the cuts with cinnamon. The rest of the plant looks very healthy. Good luck.

[Eyebabe]

I'd go with sunburn.
I would watch it; maybe measure the actual size of some of the spots so you can tell if they are getting larger. Any change and I would "surgerize" the problem.

[sweetjblue]

I'd go with sunburn too.
Surprised that the vendor sent that to you looking like that.
Just to play it safe I'd keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't spread.

Judi

[Daethen]

Use a felt marker to circle the spots and then if it progresses beyond the circle you know it is spreading. I would also contact the seller to make them aware of what you are seeing so that if it ends up not making it they have been warned.

[silken]

Possibly sunburn, but such odd shapes. I would contact the vendor and just ask them what its from. It's not like it is one minor mark. And like Daethen said, then they have been warned or maybe they will offer to do something right away.

[Wrebbitrocks]

my den. agreggatum has the exact same markings and i blame the sun because once one of my phals turned completely white.....still if any doubt

[orchidsamore]

It is sunburn or cold burn. The irregular patterns result from water on the leaves intensifying the burn. You can get this from high heat or low cold killing the chlorophyll.

Other then the appearance the plant looks very healthy. Damage on leaves is not normally considered an issue when selling an orchid. Specimen plants with perfect leaves are considerably higher in price. This one has a little more damage than normal but if it is a desirable variety, I would consider the damage acceptable.

[WhiteRabbit]

I got a plant that had a couple markings like this - last year - I too thought it looked like burn, tho not sunburn. Hasn't spread, or gotten worse in any way and the plant is growing great