Den with yellowing and spotting appearing nearly overnight - Orchid Board

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #1 01-16-2009, 04:35 PM

Hi all. I've added to my orchid collection lately with a couple decent sized orders, and a trip to a show.

One of the dens I got is having some issues and I thought I'd get some thoughts from you all before contacting the seller. When it arrived, it appeared healthy except for some yellowing which I attributed to older leaves and the climate change from shipping.

However, within 3 days, these spots showed up. It happened fast, as in it wasn't there one day, and there the next. There doesn't seem to be new spots spreading, but the leaves with spots are now yellowing, with a dark green ring remaining around the spot, and the spots are now sunken a bit. It is not on the newest cane.

I'll have to take a few more pictures. These pictures are from 2 days ago.

The pictures are: Top of the leaves, underside of the leaves, the whole plant from above.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #2 01-16-2009, 04:37 PM

oops, forgot the pictures

Becky15349 · #3 01-16-2009, 04:57 PM

That definitely looks like some sort of fungal or bacterial growth. If you just got it, I would send it back, that's not very good quality plant material - its indicative of a poor growing environment, IMHO

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #4 01-16-2009, 06:06 PM

Well, I just sent off an email to the vendor and they were interested in seeing the pictures, so I sent those as well. I'll let you know what they say. Interestingly, I went to their website and they no longer have this particular den offered. I wonder if it's related?? Maybe not, but who knows.

So, this looks like fungus or bacteria? I did treat it with a fungicide when I noticed the spots. I've just never seen anything even close to this bad... except for in pictures that is!

Sandy4453 · #5 01-16-2009, 06:40 PM

That doesn't look fungal to me, I don't think. This looks more viral than fungal, my first thought, mosaic. Has it begun spreading? I would suggest you quarantine the plant till you get it under control.

Please update and let us know what you find out or any changes noted.

Lagoon · #6 01-16-2009, 06:56 PM

I hope you hear back from the seller soon. Looks like a refund is in order.
Let us know how you make out eh?
Good luck Nicole

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #7 01-16-2009, 07:15 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I did get a reply back within a half our to my initial email saying that they would like to see my pictures. So, I send those off and am just waiting to hear back.

My big concern is the other plants in the order. They all look just fine, this was the only one affected. Each plant was wrapped separately, but that doesn't mean they don't have what it does. Some of them have been sitting too close for comfort to the rest of my collection. Stupid stupid stupid, even though they looked fine after a couple days.

Sandy: Yeah, that was my first thought too, although I've never seen it in person, so I really didn't have an idea. I panic any time I see something odd with one of my chids and start freaking about viruses though! lol I guess I'm an overly protective 'Chid Mommy.

Lagoon: Yes, I'll certainly keep you informed on how this plays out. I'm really just hoping for a refund. I wanted that den badly, but don't know if I'd risk getting the same one from the same place.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #8 01-16-2009, 09:45 PM

Well, it certainly doesn't appear that the vendor is going to offer to make this right. Here is the reply.

"Thank you for sending the pictures. I have to tell you the pictures were a real surprise, not at all what I had expected to see. This looks like a multi point bacterial infection which is extremely uncommon in Dendrobiums to the best of my knowledge. If I am correct in the diagnosis the leaves should be giving off an odor. Probably the best treatment to use on bacterial infections is a product called ZeroTol. This some what expensive and may not be available in Ca. You can make a home version of this product by diluting Hydrogen peroxide with water till it is about 10% solution. Normally I would advise against watering Dendrobiums at any time but in the morning but in this case you would probably be best served by misting the leaves with your solution in the late afternoon. The reason for this is that Dendrobiums exchange gases though stomata, tiny holes located on the bottom of their leaves. In the case of Dendrobiums this process happens at night and the holes are closed during the day. The infection has probably gained access to the plant leaves though some of these holes. Which accounts for the spotty appearance. When people water these types of plants late in the day it frequently result in fungus infections the fungus gaining access thought the stomata carried in by the water on the leaves. You can also drench the media with the Hydrogen peroxide solution. It would be best to this in the mornings. Pour the solution over the media till it runs out the bottom of the pot. Please make sure to allow the media to dry our completely before watering again. As you a probably aware this the best watering technique for Dens. I hope this helps. Please let me know if the problem persist. You will probably loose any leaves that are infected at this time but that should not endanger the plant as a whole."

How should I proceed on this one? I'm totally new to having to deal with issues, but I certainly don't think I should be the one responsible for having to spend time and money to nurse it back to health.

Sandy4453 · #9 01-17-2009, 09:05 AM

You didn't contact the vendor to get care instructions on how to treat a sick plant that you just purchased!!!! and he/she knows that but to give this vendor the benefit of the doubt, I would be very to the point and ask for a refund or replacement. IMHO, this should have been offered immediately after you sent the pics, it's just good public relations and the reputable thing to do. Give him/her the opportunity first to make good on this and if he doesn't, you may want to send him this link?......

where there are now 8,000 members who may read this.

MuscleGirl'sHobby · #10 01-21-2009, 07:59 PM

Here is the simple response I sent to the vendor:

"Unfortunately, there is no treating this problem, as nearly every leaf is affected by at least some serious yellowing at this time. I suspect the culprit of the problem is that the plant was quite wet on arrival. The newspaper it was packed in was soaked. The plant was clearly stressed, but I did not ever imagine this would result. Had I seen a plant in the condition this one was on arrival, in a shop or at a show, I would not buy it.

Given the current condition of the plant, I do not believe it will survive. I would appreciate a refund. Nonetheless, purchase of a plant is of a healthy plant which requires only normal care. This one was not healthy on arrival."

We'll see how it goes. I have certainly given a good shot a treating this plant. I did try the vendor's suggestion as well, but really have seen no indcation what so ever that it has helped anything. It remains quarantined.

I'll let you know what I hear from the vendor. I'm not optimistic, but will wait as patiently as I can. When the situation is resolved (or pushed to a point where it's clearly over) I'll give up the name of the vendor. In the mean time I think they deserve annonymity to see if they make it right.

Sandy - Yeah, a link to the thread might not be a bad idea... especially since the general concensus was "refund."