Phal with tissue collapse. What is wrong?

[BrassavolaStars]

Hello all,

I have this Phal I just got on eBay that has a problem with the newer leaves. It didn’t have this problem out of the box but it developed it not long after. It seems stable now.

I did have it outside for a period of time and then brought it into my air conditioned room. I can’t remember where the problem started.

The leaves have become pitted and collapsed in various areas. They aren’t mushy or wet but something is clearly wrong. This one did have mealy bugs to add to its problems.

[Roberta]

What were the conditions outside? Temperature? Amount of sunlight? Like, any chance that it got a bit toasted? Newer leaves may have been more tender - and shaded the older, lower ones.

[BrassavolaStars]

As an aside, I also have an otherwise healthy Phal violecea with mottled yellow leaves (older ones). Is this a problem?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by BrassavolaStars

As an aside, I also have an otherwise healthy Phal violecea with mottled yellow leaves (older ones). Is this a problem?

On this one, the yellowing seems to be on the older leaves. If so, those may just be on the way out. Have you had mineral deficiency problems on anything else? If so, others may have more insight, I have not had mineral deficiency problems but my water may have constituents that yours doesn't.

[BrassavolaStars]

Originally Posted by Roberta

What were the conditions outside? Temperature? Amount of sunlight? Like, any chance that it got a bit toasted? Newer leaves may have been more tender - and shaded the older, lower ones.

It is definitely possible it could have gotten toasted. It was facing west outside above 85f as I remember. That said, it may have started developing this problem more so after I brought it into a cooler shadier area. I can’t remember so I’m just wondering what all the possibilities are.

[estación seca]

The first one looks like sunburn. Try never to allow sun to hit their leaves at all. They can occasionally tolerate it during cooler weather, but it's not worth the risk. When the sun is low in the morning or evening is when it usually happens.

The second one - how long has it been like that? How are you fertilizing?

I almost never say this here, but I wonder whether it could be Odontoglossum Ring Spot Virus:
https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/OrchidViruses.pdf

[Roberta]

It's not just ambient temperature (85 deg F is not bad), it's leaf temperature - a blast of direct sun can damage a leaf in minutes - or less. Moving it to a cooler area will prevent further damage, but what's done is done... will probably be OK, just ugly until it grows some new leaves. Phals are relatively low-light plants, so any direct sun will very likely be the source of the damage.

[BrassavolaStars]

Originally Posted by estación seca

The second one - how long has it been like that? How are you fertilizing?

I almost never say this here, but I wonder whether it could be Odontoglossum Ring Spot Virus:
https://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/OrchidViruses.pdf

I rarely fertilize this one. The last time must have been at the beginning of the spring.

It is an import from Taiwan (according to the vendor I bought it from) that I have had for around a year. I did buy it from a very reputable local orchid store also.

When I first bought it, there was no leaf mottling. This is something that happened more recently (in the late winter when it started getting warmer). I have never cut or divided this plant but I am a bit suspicious of it. I may test it.

[estación seca]

I would definitely test for ORSV. I would also fertilize more frequently.

[Dollythehun]

I seldom give product plugs. My phals looked like that. My hard water somehow binds up essential minerals. I started using cal mag once a month and rain/filtered water. I agree on the pitting but I also added a probiotic once a month which helped that. Ray has Quantum, or you can find it at Amazon. I would cut and dust that leaf, and if you can inexpensively virus test the other plant? If not, the older leaves will die off but, if it's an important plant, isolate it and try a probiotic.