diseased?

[VickiC]

Hi,
Could you tell me what's wrong with my Bc Little Marmaid 'Janet', please? I have two. The other one looks fine and has since I bought it, brought it home and repotted it (I don't remember how long ago.....maybe 2 yrs. ??). I believe it has bloomed twice since.....this one none. I bought this plant only a few months after the first one and have cared for them the same. This one has gone downhill, though. I have taken some pics of it for you, but my camera isn't that great so I couldn't get a close up of the leaves that I would have liked for you to see. A couple of them have several very pale greenish-yellow splotches on them. They are not depressed or soft.....same texture as the darker portion of the leaf. I would appreciate it if you can advise me.
Vicki

[Connie Star]

Sunburn maybe?

[dounoharm]

looks like it might have gotten a bit of bacterial infection on that leaf...spraying with physan 20 on a regular basis might keep it from spreading....catts like a fresh medium and a repot every year....

[Eyebabe]

This is a tough one and really you figure it out by trial and error.
The leaves have the appearance in the first and fifth pics of possible virus and certainly would explain the plant's "failure to thrive"...However! the other pics do NOT look at all like virus!
Erwinia comes to mind, which is a bacterial infection, when looking at pic 2 and 3. Phyton 27 will kill this (not Physan 20).
AND finally, pic 4 looks a bit like leaf burn from salts and/or fertilizer.
My goodness!!

My approach would be to first check my water source and maybe decrease my fertilizer.
At the same time I would get some Phyton 27 and treat the plant.
Sit tight and see how things go.
Please also make darn sure this is not a creature issue
...get your magnifying spectacles out and make sure you don't have spider mites etc.
If it is creatures, then kill them

The only thing we haven't considered is fungus...if the above does not work, then I would treat with Cleary 3336 which is a great general fungicide.

Hope this helps

[VickiC]

Hi Connie,
Sunburn could easily be at least part of the problem, if not all, because I misjudged and failed to put my greenhouse shadecloth up as soon as I should have this last Spring. Several plants were burned, but luckily nothing terribly serious. This in only my 2nd year growing in the greenhouse, so I'm just learning the hard way....by mistakes, the best teacher.

Thank you for reply and your input.
Vicki

Originally Posted by Connie Star

Sunburn maybe?

[VickiC]

Hi,
I've already learned that trial and error are a very big part of being a new orchid grower...me, for one. As I told Connie, I think 'mistakes' is the best teacher, though.

The thought of a virus scares me, but since you see other problems, very hopefully that isn't the case. Just to be on the safe side, maybe I should think about having the plant tested mainly because it has been living near all of my other orchids. I would have no problem discarding it, if necessary.

I am not familiar with Erwinia, but I will read up on it so that I can determine which of my many mistakes was the culprit.

I'll check locally for Phyton 27 and Cleary 3336 tomorrow. If no one has it, I'll just go online. As for Cleary 3336, I certainly need to keep a good general fungicide on hand.

I'll also check closely for creatures with my 'handy-dandy-Army issue jewelers loupe'.

Thank you very much for your advice. I appreciate your help.
Vicki

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

This is a tough one and really you figure it out by trial and error.
The leaves have the appearance in the first and fifth pics of possible virus and certainly would explain the plant's "failure to thrive"...However! the other pics do NOT look at all like virus!
Erwinia comes to mind, which is a bacterial infection, when looking at pic 2 and 3. Phyton 27 will kill this (not Physan 20).
AND finally, pic 4 looks a bit like leaf burn from salts and/or fertilizer.
My goodness!!

My approach would be to first check my water source and maybe decrease my fertilizer.
At the same time I would get some Phyton 27 and treat the plant.
Sit tight and see how things go.
Please also make darn sure this is not a creature issue
...get your magnifying spectacles out and make sure you don't have spider mites etc.
If it is creatures, then kill them

The only thing we haven't considered is fungus...if the above does not work, then I would treat with Cleary 3336 which is a great general fungicide.

Hope this helps

[VickiC]

Hi,
I use Physan 20 to disenfect my tools and work area, but I've never tried it otherwise.

It hasn't crossed my mind to look at the medium. Repotting may very well be in order.

Thank you so much for your advice,
Vicki

Originally Posted by dounoharm

looks like it might have gotten a bit of bacterial infection on that leaf...spraying with physan 20 on a regular basis might keep it from spreading....catts like a fresh medium and a repot every year....

[DebsC]

Hi Vicki!
You got some good advice already. Something else you might consider is the heat. If Alabama is as hot as Arkansas this summer, then you're liable to see just about anything in your greenhouse.

The new growth looked alright in the picture? If so, that's a good sign.

[VickiC]

Hi Debs!
Point well taken concerning the heat! Thanks! You and I have really had to deal with the heat problem, haven't we?! As a matter of fact....still are. Some better for you this year, now it's my turn. When am I gonna get some relief here?! If any of you have heat allergies, Alabama and Arkansas are two places you don't wanna be.

By the way, I didn't even notice the new growth. I've been so focused on problems.
Thanks again,
Vicki

Originally Posted by DebsC

Hi Vicki!
You got some good advice already. Something else you might consider is the heat. If Alabama is as hot as Arkansas this summer, then you're liable to see just about anything in your greenhouse.

The new growth looked alright in the picture? If so, that's a good sign.