virus/pests/direction? please help

[cutejai]

Hi All,

could you please help to identify what these are and advise possible direction of what I could do with these? I'm 80% sure these are viruses, but not sure how deadly/contagious they are and if I should discard them or just keep them in an isolated area as an experimental plant, since the flower are not affected.

Thanks you all

[cutejai]

not sure why I can't post url image link, will try attachment.

[Leafmite]

I just took an orchid to my orchid society and someone is going to test it for me. I took it sealed in a plastic bag. If you are certain they are virused there is no reason to keep them but, as other things can cause markings, it is worth testing the orchid before tossing.

[NYCorchidman]

Are all the leaves affected??

I am not sure about the phal (schilleriana I believe?) but those darker spots can be anything from bugs, fungal, sunburn, bacterial. I doubt viral.

But all others, including that small leaf in the back of the Schilleriana, I highly suspect virus, if not mites of some sort.

Either case, I would cut off the leaf if it is on just on leaf and just hope that the ugly does not return. lol
If more than one leaf is affected, I would send a leaf sample for testing.
If the plant is not of much value, then I would toss them all without thinking for another second.

Especially if you have a large collection, or have other valuable plant, it is not worth all the headache and risk of spreading, whether it be virus, bugs or other disease.

There are always lovely orchids in bloom to buy out there in the market. lol

[Island Girl]

^yes, I agree with what NY said, and as Leafmite did, you can get them tested (not sure where in Australia tho)

Here's a site with pics of all types of damage to orchids, pest/fungus/bacteria/virus, you can have a look on this if you would like.
http://www.houstonorchidsociety.org/...ySueBottom.pdf

Good Luck! I hope it's not virus! They are such a dreaded part of this hobby.