Leaves Problems

[Mervin]

What are these ???

Plant 1 -


Plant 2 -


Plant 3 -

[Lagoon]

Looks like you have some fungus going on with the darker colouration.
I don't like seeing those rings on the leaves. I have a phal showing this aswell

It would be of some concern for me. I would have it tested for virus - its the only forsure way to tell if you're orchid is indeed sick.

[lepetitmartien]

1/ virus (chlorotic circles)
2/ maybe virus (round zones), plus maybe something else (necrotic zones)
3/ virus (chlorotic circles)

The virus for 1 and 3 seems to be Capsicum chlorosis virus (CaCV, a Tospovirus) by the aspect, but the only way to be sure is to test the plants. Now It won't save them.

If I'm right about the virus, it is transmitted by thrips, sap, so :
- you should isolate the plants from others
- clean and disinfect hands if you touch them, same for instruments you may use.
- Virus infected plants are condemned, so the faster you destroy them (trash, and NOT composting) the better, as it can spread to others.
- if possible, you should test your other orchids to eliminate the infected ones.

On the Phal number 2, it may be virus, even co-infection by two of them, and/or something else it's difficult to tell without testing for viruses. The "something else" can be fungal or bacteria related, or even only the result to viruses, difficult to tell.

Note that the pots/containers should be thoroughly sterilized if you want to reuse them. On the STAUG website, you can download Sue Bottom's Orchid Pests and Diseases, she gives a proper proceeding.

I'm sorry about all this, but your mission now is to prevent the spread, I'd eliminate 1 and 3 first thing, and isolate 2 to be sure it's really viral (maybe testing it). If you have other orchids of value, test them.

[Mervin]

Thank you very much for the links.
Very informative.

Looks like I have to dump my Joy luddes.......

[zxyqu]

Ouch Mervin. I agree 1 and 3 remind me of virus. The 2nd one looks similar to cold water leading to cell collapse and possibly a secondary infection. I'd treat this one and monitor it. With virus like 1 and 3, if it is indeed virus, there isn't much to do as this virus is obviously causing issues that are just not feasible with keeping them. Sorry

[lepetitmartien]

Originally Posted by Mervin

Looks like I have to dump my Joy luddes.......

I'm sorry, but if you have other orchids it's the best thing you can do.

zxyqu pointed rightly another possibility for 2, but the draws on the leaf make me very suspicious. One necrotic zone is even in circle.

If the necrotic zones spread fast, you should cut the leaf, add cinnamon powder to the cut and clean and dinsinfect thorougly what you used and your hands.

Now did the 3 where close together? Have they had a shock of some sort in the last months? If any other orchid was near them, check it out.

[Mervin]

Thank you again for your reply mate.

No, all three phals are at different ends of a 4 foot bench with at least 6-7 plants between them.

I just thrashed 1 and 3.

No.2 has been like that for at least 2-3 weeks without any changes, therefore I am hoping thats the end of it.

Now I am looking forward to go phal shopping, rePlacements

I love luddes !!!!
Hahahaha !

[james mickelso]

Sorry to hear this sad news. Yes if you have other plants that are not infected you should get rid of the infected plants. What I have found is that many times you can still keep them (unless you value your other plants) and they can still produce good flowers and live. Since most of mine are rescues anyway (most were thrown away or nearly dead when I got them) I just keep them all. In my collection it doesn't really matter. I have a c. intermedia that is blooming right now that has a virus which mottles the flowers. Kind of pretty actually. But if you have other plants that are healthy, it is best to throw the infected plants away. Shed a tear or two, and then go on a shopping spree(; But one caution (which is where I was going with this in the first place), please clear your bench and sterilize it. Everything anywherre near it. Even the outsides of the pots of your other orchids. A dilute soluion of bleach and water. All your hose ends and nozzles. Cutting tools (hopefully you use disposable razor blades anyway), stakes and clips. If you do this your chances of reinfection is diminished greatly. Good luck.

[lepetitmartien]

Dilution 10% bleach.

Now don't feel guilty, a lot of hybrid lines are infected by viruses. It comes from the mass production and the difficulty there was before to test plants. Now we can, even it'll take time to clear plants lines if it's possible.

Another thing to know is that viruses can be sleeping in the plant from the nursery. It's slow to show up, and a shock can reveal the infection previously invisible. But unfortunately, we have no cure (yet).

Given there's economic interests to circumvent these viruses, we may hope to see other solutions one day…

[Mervin]

Thank you for all your replies, suggestions and advice !

Very much appreciated.