Phalenopsis yellow ring spotting

[Longroots]

Hi,

I don't like the look of these spots on my phals newest leaf (and what I think is sunburn on my bottom one). One leaf you can see is clearly visible both from the top and bottom of the leaf, and has yellowing and green circles. I know you can't tell for sure without tests but they're expensive.

Does this look a little threatening? I already have an Aeridis quarantined and some new orchids quarantined in another room so can't quarantine it elsewhere really.

I just want some advice.

[Roberta]

The spots that show on both sides are characteristic of sucking insects, not disease. I doubt virus, if that's what you're concerned about. The second photo looks like sunburn, or right on the edge of it... the cure for that is easy, less sun. (Marks don't go away, but remember that Phals are low-light plants)

[Longroots]

The phal has been there for years, but I can't see any pests at all, I normally do plants checks every other day and found these 4 days ago, and they have gotten a little bigger. They get a little burned where they are but they recover and do very well and flower abundantly. I think the burn happened because its been very hot in the UK and the leaf was against the glass.

The small spots are what I'm more worried about

[Dimples]

If your plants are getting burned routinely, that's a sign you should move them a little further from the window. At a minimum, move them when you're expecting unusually high temps or add a sheer curtain to the window.

Recovering from a burn or any other stressor uses energy. That energy could otherwise be used to make leaves, roots, or flowers, so your flower count could theoretically be even higher than it is now if you prevent future damage.

[Longroots]

I'm really not worried about the burn, its pretty minor, only happened because the leaf was against the window, and I really don't mind if the orchid isn't performing optimally. It's only from a supermarket so really I just want something nice and easy to care for on the window sill. Anything more intensive is in my more controlled enviornment.

I'm far more concerned about the ring spot looking mark thats arise and if it could spread to my other orchids.

[Longroots]

An update: I'm throwing this phal, the markings are looking increasingly chlorotic, you can see a second yellow ring forming on the leaf and they're growing. And the back of the flowers are... sketchy.

I don't know how this developed, no other plant of mine has any symptoms, perhaps I came home one day and had something on my hands and touched it. I do view orchids in shops a lot.

[Roberta]

It is also possible that the issue was there before you got it... if it is virus, it can take some time to manifest itself. There is a link in another thread showing some photos... suspicious indeed, though only a test can tell for certain (and the rapid tests don't cover all the possibilities) If you use good practices all the time - sterilize tools before cutting, don't share water between plants, etc. you greatly reduce the chance of spreading disease (if that is what it is ) to other plants. No shortcuts...

[Longroots]

I've had this plant for years, thats what worries me. I never share water and I do sterilise my tools so I can only hope everything else works out. I think the brown streak that developed tipped me over the edge of suspicion also.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Longroots

An update: I'm throwing this phal, the markings are looking increasingly chlorotic, you can see a second yellow ring forming on the leaf and they're growing. And the back of the flowers are... sketchy.

I don't know how this developed, no other plant of mine has any symptoms, perhaps I came home one day and had something on my hands and touched it. I do view orchids in shops a lot.

Do what you feel is best, but a single area with concentric rings still has me thinking "pest" rather than "virus". The flower picture, I can't see whatever you are concerned about.

[Longroots]

Its not a single area, if you look on the edge of the leaf it has 2 other rings forming, plus the long brown streak