Does my Phal have a virus?

[Tim P.]

this is kindof an update from my last thread. The spots are kindof scabbed over, which isnt bothering me, but what is bothering me is the dark green ring around them just a little background. this is the orchid that i have had since last june, and it recently (maby 2 months ago) took a fall off of its shelf and then i figured that would be a good time to repot it, so i did. These spots showed up, and at first were ever so slightly yellowish, and just lately scabbed over and now have that ring around them. Please give me your opinion i am very worried for my plant because i am attached to it (possibly more than any of my others) although i have a soft spot for my paph THank you for your information! IF it is a virus or infection what should i do?

[Rowangreen]

I'm hoping I've got the right answer to this, as I've got one with similar marks!

I think it might be oedema: basically cells swell up with too much fluid. It can be caused by the plant getting a chill after watering.

Anyway, if it's been there two months and isn't doing much besides scarring over then it's probably nothing too much to worry about!

[Tim P.]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

I'm hoping I've got the right answer to this, as I've got one with similar marks!

I think it might be oedema: basically cells swell up with too much fluid. It can be caused by the plant getting a chill after watering.

Anyway, if it's been there two months and isn't doing much besides scarring over then it's probably nothing too much to worry about!

Thank you!

[RosieC]

I'm afraid I can't really answer the question, but giving you a bump

I don't think it's a virus but I don't really know must about how they appear so hopefully someone else can help.

[Paul Mc]

I'd isolate it for the time being if you havent done so already, just to be on the safe side. I have similar marking on the top of some of my phals to those you have on the top of the leaves, but that circle I do not have. Not really sure but hope someone more knowledgable can chime in here.

[Leafmite]

For a virus, look for a pattern...usually, you will see more than one leaf with markings or more than one mark on the leaf. Stress can cause a virus to come to light but it is more likely a fungus or bacterial problem if you just have a single spot. The yellow would be caused by dying cells so it is best to treat it as it is probably spreading. Here are some useful websites. Good luck!



Two helpful orchid society sites:

Orchid Pests, Orchid Diseases

http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/...ySueBottom.pdf

Cloud's orchid's:

Diagnosing Orchid Problems

Two helpful virus sheets, one from Brisbane, the other from Taiwan:

http://www.icogo.org/images/Dr._Chin...id_Viruses.pdf

Orchid Virus

[Gage]

The sunken places look like snail damage and the dark circles look like fungus feeding on the damaged areas.

[camille1585]

Also looks like oedema to me, there often is the darker halo. Oedema happens when, for some reason, water uptake through the roots is higher than the evaporation rate. The excess water has to go somewhere, and comes up as raised blisters on the leaves.

[lepetitmartien]

First pic, it's either snails local tastings or blisters scars. My personal adventures with snails don't limit to tasting, but ravaging, so I fall for blisters scars It's more compatible with the size too.

Second pic, definitely not viral. If it was spreading I would have looked after a fungus or bacteria, but if it's not, it should be some physiologic issue like blisters.

I'd sugest to set mark on the leave (marker…) and verify after a few days it's definitely not spreading. Or measure a few spots, write them down and check regularly.

[Wynn Dee13]

I also think it is oedema. I don't think it is a virus or anything to worry about. My Phals get these sometimes too.