Cattleya (no-id) - Orchid Board

LinS · #1 03-07-2016, 10:36 PM

I'm new to the board & was hoping you guys would take a look at my newly bought Cattleya. Had no tag, & language issue, I didn't ask a bunch. Know ID is hard to say, but want idea of possible parentage for care & what to expect. Tried to include as much about it under my list of orchids. It is different!

Optimist · #2 03-07-2016, 11:57 PM

I think to post a picture you need a certain amount of posts. Like 5.

estación seca · #3 03-08-2016, 12:32 AM

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

In your profile you list

Large Cattleya hybrid(noid)(leaf has CH7303 scratched in underside)

That sounds to me like a Carter and Holmes number. I just searched their site and that number doesn't come up. Maybe you could try to write them and find out what that cross was?

Welcome to Carter and Holmes Orchids Home Page

silken · #4 03-08-2016, 10:22 AM

Welcome. Where did you buy your Cattleya from. I looked at your picture and I am sorry to say, but it may possibly have a virus. It looked to me like it has colour break on the petals. That's the irregular darker colour streaks in the petals that would normally be one solid colour. It could be caused by other factors, but is often a symptom of colour break virus. You will want to use caution when handling that plant and sterilize any tools before and after working with your orchids, as well as pots etc. And do not share water (as in soak them all in the sink together). If you just bought it maybe you could exchange it.

PaphMadMan · #5 03-08-2016, 08:04 PM

estación seca · #6 03-08-2016, 09:40 PM

It took me a while to find your photos. I agree it is probably virused. I would definitely try to get a refund from the seller. If you send them the photos and they are honest, I would expect them to refund your money.

LinS · #7 03-09-2016, 09:47 AM

Thanks everyone for all the info. I obviously didn't know about the virus, and now probably have lost the others to it. I've not been trying to grow for long. Already found receipt from paying with card, contacted the ph#, & txt pics. But that was before I read your responses.

silken · #8 03-09-2016, 10:13 AM

If you haven't had the plant long, others, may not have contracted virus. It doesn't spread in the air or anything. It spreads similar to the way HIV Aids spreads in humans. By not using sterile cutting and pruning equipment, sharing fertilizer water and sucking bugs can transmit from one plant to another. Many orchid growers with large collections have some % of orchids with virus and don't even know it. But the two worse are Cymbidium Mosaic Virus and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus. One of these causes the colour break in blooms. Both spread fairly easy and are too common unfortunately. But a blooming plant with colour break is usually a sure sign and likely not worth keeping since the blooms scream virus. I would still try for a refund and then toss the plant. Wait till your negotiations are settled tho.