Virused Cattleya

[MrHungx]

I recently purchased a Lc. Purple Cascade 'Fragrant Beauty' from Hausermann's. A few days ago, I noticed a strange discoloration on one of the leaves. A few of the "healthy" leaves also have this discoloration, but the leaf that has the most spots has started yellowing today. I'm hoping it's not a viral infection, but would like confirmation before I further pursue this with Hausermann's. Thanks!

Edit: The sphagnum moss seen in the pictures is only used as a top dressing. It is planted in coarse fir bark.

[Ray]

Sure looks like it could be a ring-spot virus to me.

Compare with the St. Augustine OS images.

[Leafmite]

It is difficult to diagnose a virus just by looking at a leaf. Testing is a better way to be accurate. Here is a nice video where someone explains the signs of virus and shows her plants that have tested positive. Note that she mentions a lack of vigor, problems with the flowers, all the leaves are affected, etc.

The link:

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

It is difficult to diagnose a virus just by looking at a leaf. Testing is a better way to be accurate. Here is a nice video where someone explains the signs of virus and shows her plants that have tested positive. Note that she mentions a lack of vigor, problems with the flowers, all the leaves are affected, etc.

The link:

I really have to agree with this video. I got a Cattleya last year and, thankfully, I isolated it immediately. The buds dropped very quickly for no reason and, though it was a twice-a-year bloomer, it never put out new growths. Five months later, all the leaves suddenly developed necrotic streaks. All these signs together made it clear to me that it needed tossed.
A sick orchid doesn't grow as well as a healthy orchid and is more susceptible to disease. Sometimes very good culture can mask the symptoms for years but the orchid will never grow as well as it could without the virus. The same goes for most plants. Good luck!

[Leafmite]

Did it have this when it arrived? Fungus and bacterial problems can happen very quickly, unfortunately. I have experienced these. Virus, however, often takes six weeks to months to show symptoms in orchids (some other plants show symptoms much more quickly). It is rather important to know what to tell them. If you suspect virus, they may ask you to have it tested at a lab before you get a refund. If you have had the orchid over a week and it isn't a virus, it may be considered to have happened in your care.
Good luck!

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Did it have this when it arrived? Fungus and bacterial problems can happen very quickly, unfortunately. I have experienced these. Virus, however, often takes six weeks to months to show symptoms in orchids (some other plants show symptoms much more quickly). It is rather important to know what to tell them. If you suspect virus, they may ask you to have it tested at a lab before you get a refund. If you have had the orchid over a week and it isn't a virus, it may be considered to have happened in your care.
Good luck!

No, it did not have this when it arrived. I've lost a few plants to black rot, so I know how fast a fungal infection can spread. The only orchids I currently have are from the same order from Hausermann's, so the only possible source of this infection is from other plants in this order. None of the other plants are currently showing any symptoms. I'm not sure a virus test would be worth the cost considering that this particular cattleya wasn't very expensive in the first place.

[MrHungx]

I heard back from Hausermann's today. They're claiming that it's just a bacterial/fungal infection and to just cut off the infected parts. The problem with this is that even healthy portions of the plant reveal green spotting under a flashlight. The only part of the plant that does not exhibit the infection are the newest growths. I've been relying more on mail order orchids and this just leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[nikkik]

I had an unpleasant experience with them this summer. I had always thought of them as a great vendor although my last experience really left something to be desired. In order to get them to do what was right by me I had to counter some of the untrue facts I was being given when I called to express my disappointment in the plant that was sent. I know all businesses make mistakes, but plants shouldn't be sent to a customer with fungus or bacteria, IMO.

[Pat'sCatt's]

I always get a little bit nervous when i see pictures like this! These remind me of a Catt i bought this spring. When it arrived it looked perfectly fine, except it had some really dark purple, almost aubergine streaks on the bulbs. I thought it just had to much sun. When the new shoot matured the leaf of the bulb showed an almost perfect symetrical pattern, it looked a lot like a geometrical wallpaper design, complete with diamond shapes, spots and rings, and a lot of paralel lines. That's when it hit me, this is what a virus looks like!! And in a split second, with pain in my heart, my treasure became trash. Because your first picture shows the same patterns on the leaf i think it is defenetally a virus and not a fungal problem. I agree with you it makes you a bit scared to buy new plants online without seeing them first. Good luck with the vendor who sold you this plant. Hope you will get a refund!!

[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?