Diagnose please

[treefisher]

Viruses? Fungus? Nothing to worry about???

Bulbophyllum lepidum


Encyclia fragrans

[Anisa]

Not sure what am I looking at. Is it some sort of mechanical damage?

[treefisher]

I have no idea.

I bought these plants months ago. The spots were on them when they arrived in the mail. They are otherwise doing great, and have lots of new growth.

[RobS]

The Bulbophylum to me looks like mechanical damage I wouldn't worry about this one.

The Encyclia (or Anacheilum) I'd pay more attention to. Are the spots soft and growing or if they change to this directly cut the bulb with a sterile blade and cover with something like cinamon.

[Masdyman]

Originally Posted by RobS

The Bulbophylum to me looks like mechanical damage I wouldn't worry about this one.

The Encyclia (or Anacheilum) I'd pay more attention to. Are the spots soft and growing or if they change to this directly cut the bulb with a sterile blade and cover with something like cinamon.

I agree ,on both counts .I would remove the Encyclia bulb.

Instead of cutting i sometimes try and pull the infected leaf or bulb away so it leaves a natural keel or wound and use cinnamon

[treefisher]

I've considered cutting the bulb, but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea at this stage. I have noticed no increase or change in the spots. They are smooth, and feel like the rest of the pseudobulb.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to cut the bulb. The plant is quite large, and most of the other bulbs appear to be fine.

I am a bit nervous about the possibility of viruses on my plants. If that happens to be the case with this orchid, would it be advisable to keep? I'd hate to discard such a large, relatively healthy looking specimen, but it would be far worse to infect the rest of my collection.

[Shirley]

To me it looks as though the Encyclia could be sunburned.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by treefisher

I've considered cutting the bulb, but wasn't sure if it would be a good idea at this stage. I have noticed no increase or change in the spots. They are smooth, and feel like the rest of the pseudobulb.

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to cut the bulb. The plant is quite large, and most of the other bulbs appear to be fine.

I am a bit nervous about the possibility of viruses on my plants. If that happens to be the case with this orchid, would it be advisable to keep? I'd hate to discard such a large, relatively healthy looking specimen, but it would be far worse to infect the rest of my collection.

Nowhere do I see anything that looks like a virus to me.
The first pic, I agree looks mechanical.
For the second pic/bulb, as long as the spots are firm and the same texture as the other bulbs, I'd leave it alone. Any sign of spread or softening, I'd put on a rubber glove and snap the bulb off at the base from the rest of the plant.
Overall, I think your plants look healthy

[Junebug]

No problems with the first plant...just old battle scars. I agree that the second photo looks like sunburn. I'd leave it alone if it hasn't worsened. If the damage spreads then surgery and cinnamon would be in order.

[treefisher]

I've had orchids that got a bit too much sun before, but the burns looked different than this. They were also always on the leaves rather than the pseudobulb. It's tough matching symptoms with pictures from the internet sometimes, so I had no clue what I was looking at.

I like this sunburn theory. It helps me rest easier. I'll go with that unless/until I notice anymore changes. I will go ahead and leave the bulb alone for now.

Thanks for the insight here everyone.