Clearing, thinning leafs with brown spots...

[jennihk]

My friend got it for me on Valentines's Day. I told him i love this kind of flower, but he does not know how to pick a healthy one. i want to safe it, because i care about how much effort he puts in this relationship.

The leafs are - thinning, veinging and clearing, having brown spots.
The bottom leaves are start tapping down; they are really dry

The Buds do not blossom and fall down by itself.

The roots are dry at the end, and they are all out of the pot.

The flowers are starting to face down.

Should i safe it? how can i safe it?

I am greatly appreciate for your time of looking through my problem. Thank you!

Hope to hear from u soon.

[RosieC]

Hi jennihk,

well there is definately something wrong with those leaves and I fear it may not be possible to save it. I'm afraid I don't really know what is wrong with them, but I fear a fungus or something like that.

I'm going to move your post to 'pests & diseases'. Hopefully it will get more responce there from people who may be able to help.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I don't think this is a fungal infection.

It looks a lot like a viral infection.

Maybe someone who's had experience with viral infections in their orchid collections can say something.

If it's truly viral, you must destroy this plant. As in burn it.

[Royal]

This does not look too good. If I were trying to save it, I would re-pot it immediatly. Use a new pot and new orchid medium. Trim all of the dead roots (brown and squishy), but leave all of the roots that are firm. Dry and wrinkled is ok, these may continue to grow. Also, cut the flower spike to allow the plant to devote energy into new vegatative growth.

Keep it on the drier side for a about a month. Leaves may shrivel up and drop off, but this is better than contiuing to rot due to moisture. Dry conditions tend to encourage new roots. Grow the roots well and the rest takes care of itself.

Good luck, and welcome!

[mojomick]

And make sure not to put it close to your other plants, Isolate, Isolate, Isolate.

[Orchidreamer]

Not only keep it away from other plants, but don't share tools between plants. If anything comes in contact with this plant, like scissors, make sure to sterilize it afterward. Virus/fungus/bacteria all travel thru plant sap.