3 phals, 3 types of spots

[Dollythehun]

Ok. I think I am reasonably careful in my culture. However, so much mechanical damage, or insect damage CAN look like disease, my head starts to spin. After this post, I pitched 3 plants. I have been using Ray's Concentric Ag on a few others. I am not a member of the fan club, nor does Ray pay me to say this but, I think the stuff works. The reason I waited so long was that I thought I had damage from Stink bugs, which are for us, a most annoying, destructive pest. So, Sundaygardener, I guess we're in the same club. Like WW, I've been growing a long time and learned something new today (sadly).

[WaterWitchin]

Sadly, I'm still not sure what I've learned. Other than my head continues to spin on the topic of virus vs bacterial vs fungus and knowing what's what. Oh... and finding out there's a Ray fan club.

You think the Concentric Ag works Dolly? I might just give that a whirl. My understanding, it's an "immunity booster" and not an actual treatment, correct? After all, you're the one who convinced me to try fertilizing more than once in a blue moon, after seeing how well plants bloom in your care. Perhaps I'll start a Dolly Fan club.

[SundayGardener]

The more I read about viruses, the more depressed I get! Especially when I think of opportunities missed...I am convinced that this virus first appeared on a coelgyne. I treated it with Cleary's and waited. Then I saw scale and I treated it for that and waited. It's so hard when an orchid is still putting out new growths, but seeing the new leaves succumb convinced me to dispose of that plant. NOW I really wish I had disposed of it at the first sign of trouble.

In general, I've had the most problems with phals and dendros (I'm not including oncidiums because I just hate them at this point). I won't buy anymore of these.

The equestris still has yellow spots, but not as pronounced and now it up and bloomed so of course I'll wait. The other phals with the worst damage and with damage on new leaves are going. It's a real battle each time to convince myself that disposal is the best action to take. Trying to focus on doing what is right for my little orchid community as a whole. I can be happy if I don't lose everything...

I think I may have pictures of that coelgyne, I'll post later.

[WaterWitchin]

Agreed! The more I read, the more confused I become. And truly understand not wanting to pitch. Do separate from the rest, regardless. Can't hurt.

[Dollythehun]

I had a white phal Equestria. It had black pits and the leaves yellowed and fell. Roberta and ES thought something had bitten it. I ordered Ray's Concentric Ag and followed the directions, isolating the plant. It recovered nicely and has out out lots of good roots and bloomed twice. What was wrong IDK. My dendrobiums and a couple Howerias now show spots and pits. I'm trying the same approach.

I also can't figure out how to NEVER cross contaminate. They're sitting on the same rack. They get watered on a rack. I draw the water out of the saucers in the hard to reach ones with the same impliment. I disinfect, sterilize and now this. I'm with Sundaygardener, I'm going to be more ruthless.

[WaterWitchin]

Well, we don't grow them in a laboratory like mad scientists, so stuff can happen. Really no different than our beloved outside plants. And virus-wise, I fight mosaic and spotted wilt virus on my beloved tomato plants every.single.year. Same with cucumbers. Between them, and the dreaded Japanese beetles, it's always a battle. I am very grateful they don't care for my orchids. Not so happy about the blackberries, crape myrtle and roses.

I will try the Concentric Ag. I know it won't help my grasshopper bitten orchid leaves, but was kind of hoping it might stop some of the black spotting on the Oncidium tribe that shows up each summer.