Weekend purchase diseased?

[Fredmax]

Hi, I purchased this Oncidesa Hwuluduen Chameleon from Bunnings over the weekend in their polypak section which are always fun.

I got it home to look and unboxed it and noticed the underside of the leaf has unusual markings, the plant itself is very healthy and the top of the leaves don't have marks so am happy to keep it, but more concerned of it spreading to my other plants.

Does the leaf look right or should I return it?

[Diane56Victor]

Oncidium types are prone to fungal infections and time spent in those little plastic tubes with little to no airflow wouldn't have helped the situation.
Maybe treat it with a fungicide and keep it away from other plants in your collection.
It looks really good in the second photo.

[SouthPark]

Fred --- those sorts of markings in oncidiums is quite commonly seen. The nice thing is that it doesn't necessarily mean an issue. Could be genetic sometimes, or could be fungal.

I agree with Diane ----- you could just spray some Mancozeb on the leaves in any case. This doesn't mean this orchid has an issue. And just put the orchid in a growing area that has some gentle natural air movement.

And - agreeing with Diane --- watch out for those tubes which these plants come in. The nursery people know just how much (and when) to add the water to keep their little orchids healthy. But the new owners of the orchid can put some other amount of water ----- sometimes ending up with media and roots too soggy - which can lead to issues like rotten roots, bulb rot etc.

[Fredmax]

Ok thanks, I'll spray it with the magic mancozeb and keep it near a window. I'm erring on the side of caution and limiting all watering for the next few weeks (temps are down to 3c). I just wasn't sure if it was mosaic virus I hear about on our cyms.

As a side note I'm enjoying the little orchids they get from Paradisia nurseries, I picked up Bulbo Mirum, Holcoglossum and an Ionopsis species while I was there, now to keep them alive

[Diane56Victor]

Ive bought a few of those too. Nice, easy and cheap way of trying something different.

My last bag baby purchase was a Tolumnia. Not that I need any more as I recently deflasked about 20! I just liked the colour.

I also bought an Aerides leena some time ago and that is growing like mad, huge roots for the size of the plant.

[estación seca]

Those are old leaves. That is how a lot of old leaves look when they are about to die and drop off. I personally wouldn't treat with fungicide unless I were sure it were a fungus attack. The fact the newer leaves look healthy suggests it isn't fungus. Treating with a fungicide may kill off harmless or beneficial fungi which can keep pathogens in check.