Virused Cattleya

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

If it is virused, that could explain why it was susceptible to what it has now. Healthy plants usually do not get this. Often times, black rot is caused by calcium deficiency or getting too cold and wet. A virused plant, however, is very vulnerable to attacks from bacteria and fungus as the immune system has already been compromised. And, sometimes, fungus mimics the signs of virus. I have heard people say at our OS that they were certain an orchid was virused but it turned out not to be and, after receiving the test results, they treated it and the orchid was fine.
Perhaps you could tell Hausermann's, in as pleasant tone as you can manage, that you understand that they do not want to be ripped off and that certainly is not your intention but you are quite concerned. Ask if you could email them pictures or send them a leaf sample to be tested. How long have you had this orchid?

I don't really think that the spots are due to a fungal/bacteria infection as a result of its increased vulnerability due to a viral infection. I think this plant is past the point of recovery as almost all parts of the plant show signs of infection except for the newest growths. I received the orchid at the beginning of October, so I believe the plant was infected sometime before it was shipped to me. I have replied to the email from Hausermann's stating that it would be impossible to remove the infected portions of the plant and am currently awaiting their response. I will keep you guys posted when I hear back from them.

[Leafmite]

Good luck!

[Tim P.]

+1 with contacting the vendor. I have ordered for the last time from housermanns as out of the four, one was dead within a month, one had no roots, one may be virused, and the other was OK. It is quite unfortunate. I thought I may have had bad luck, but it just seems to be a little too coincidental.

[MrHungx]

I finally heard back from Hausermann's! They will be sending me a replacement and currently cannot mail it due to harsh weather. Unfortunately I had ordered another orchid as a replacement and now have too many orchids!

[CA2FLxplant]

Originally Posted by MrHungx

I finally heard back from Hausermann's! They will be sending me a replacement and currently cannot mail it due to harsh weather. Unfortunately I had ordered another orchid as a replacement and now have too many orchids!

Good for you. Nice to hear they are making it right.

Oh no...too many orchids?! I'd be happy to take one (or two) off your hands!!

[NYCorchidman]

I agree with you.
Those rings are most likely viral. Also, the fact that they are all over the plant except for the newest part.

Hopefully you'll get a good plant.

Another thing I'd like to point out after reading through others' comments, unless a vendor reacts in a rude way, generally getting sick plants are not intentional and no one can really check plants for the presence of any disease unless they are immediately apparent. So, no reason to be upset or angry although I understand the frustration and disappointment.

Usually good vendors will refund money or send a replacement without any argument at all given that everything sounds reasonable enough.

[euplusia]

To me it looks more like anthracnose, an orchid leaf spotting fungus infection.
The rapid spreading is not typical for a virus infection.

[wintergirl]

I noticed the some thing on a Cattleya plant and I wondered if it was hard water spots or a virus or what? Faint white lines on top the leaves usually in a jagged round pattern. Almost like a faint scale that can be removed by a light scrapping. Almost looks like water drops dried there, but none did. Nothing like this on the backs of the leaves, no cotton-like fluff but a faint hard water scale or something. When I first got the plant I wiped all the leaves down with alcohol but over a week or 2 I noticed them back. I thought maybe my water was too hard and used distilled, never got the leaves wet but it looks like it. I found a picture on another orchid board about viruses and the first picture of the white spots is what I am talking about. Mine are not as large as those but something like them. I am not talking about the yellow spots in the picture, which is supposed to be the virus, but the white spots.

Phalaenopsis virus?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[wintergirl]

Bump.... I am desperate to know about white spots on my catt. The picture of something like what I am talking about is at above link. My white lined spots are not as big but something like that.

[Leafmite]

In these pictures, the yellow markings are the possible virus infection. The white rings are either hard water, fertilizer or a chemical treatment (probably a fungicide). I often get plants from vendors with the white markings and in this case, it is usually either insecticide or fungicide. When we spray our fruit trees, same white markings. So, no need to worry.
I don't think hard water is very good for the plants so if your water is hard, you might want to use distilled. The marks, I have heard, can be removed with milk.
If it is fungicide or insecticide, I usually leave it on to protect my plants.

---------- Post added at 11:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:42 PM ----------

Hausermann's is a good place to buy orchids. If they weren't, they would have been out of business a long, long time ago. I think, that before a vendor's plant is accused of being virused, it would be a generous option to have the orchid tested. Many orchid vendors in the US have been going out of business. As customers, we should treat vendors fairly, just as we would want to be treated if we were selling a product. :|