Problem, maybe virus - Orchid Board

larrylwill · #1 11-24-2014, 04:39 PM

I said in another section I would post pictures of some of my orchids. I started to notice a couple months ago some problems. I have Phals, Onc's and Cats. There are different problems on some of them. I will admit that I got very lax in watering a couple months ago, we went away, I had someone water them for me, and when I came back I neglected them for a month or more.
Here are pictures. I have some with distorted leaves, some with hard crusts on the leaves, some with strange streaks or spots on the leaves. I know the Sherry baby has freckles, it always has. I am noticing some with black and dried new growth, some with dying growth. In the last 6 months about 4 have died. Most of the whitish spots are water stain, I just watered them, the Phal in 08 is NOT its in the leaves.
I'm really hoping I do not have to destroy all of them. This is about 3/4 of what I have.
I really someone can identify something I can treat. I will post the pictures in 2 posts.

larrylwill · #2 11-24-2014, 04:41 PM

the rest

NYCorchidman · #3 11-24-2014, 07:55 PM

That darkened death as in picture #1 is cattleya black rot I believe.
You want to remove that portion and spray with fungicide. It will spread. Isolate the plant if you can and do not splash water on to other plant.

Overall, I do see some minor fungal (potentially) spots and marks, and these could also be part of viral issues, but this of course you cannot be sure without testing.
If you value them, get a home test kit for virus and find out for sure.

LovePhals · #4 11-24-2014, 08:16 PM

Some look dehydrated, but I agree several look like black rot. It's almost impossible to stop but you could try. I would spray with fungicide/miticide and see if anything spreads, then you know.

lepetitmartien · #5 11-24-2014, 10:15 PM

Like others, I see black rot on some, a sunburn on the dehydrated oncidium, some fungus, maybe acidovorax on catt…

larrylwill · #6 11-24-2014, 11:31 PM

Looks like I have a lot of work to do. I will upload close ups of some trouble spots tomorrow.
thank you all

larrylwill · #7 11-26-2014, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

That darkened death as in picture #1 is cattleya black rot I believe.
You want to remove that portion and spray with fungicide. It will spread. Isolate the plant if you can and do not splash water on to other plant.

Overall, I do see some minor fungal (potentially) spots and marks, and these could also be part of viral issues, but this of course you cannot be sure without testing.
If you value them, get a home test kit for virus and find out for sure.

What difference is it if I value them? If its a virus what can I do? It looks like I will have to destroy them all, since they look 2x as bad as the day I posted the pictures. Some have wrinkling leaves, some hard black spots and some or almost all have spot's that look like a virus. I have some 25 Orchids and until a few weeks ago they all looked good, now it looks like I'm doomed.
I will get some fungicide tonight and spry them and separate any that don't look bad, but I think they are all affected, it spread like fire. The grow room is running form about 60 to 70 degrees.
At this point I don't know if I will try again or not.

silken · #8 11-26-2014, 08:15 PM

Virus usually doesn't show up so quickly. It is more likely fungal or bacterial. I see water sitting on a few leaves. That will cause a problem in spreading bacteria and fungus. Only water the media and for the Catts, let it completely dry between watering. They look pretty wet to me. Also provide good moving air.

Sometimes when Catts lose their new growths to black rot, it can be a calcium deficiency. You could try getting a Cal/Mag supplement.

I think NYCOrchidman means if they are easy to replace and inexpensive plants, toss them if you suspect virus. If you are more attached, financially or emotionally, you may want to spend the money to get them tested for several viruses.

larrylwill · #9 11-26-2014, 10:09 PM

What I meant is IF they do have a virus I still have to toss them, besides virus testing cost more than new orchids. They were wet because I just finished watering them. Not more than 5 minuets before I took the pictures, that's when I noticed the problems.
I just treated them with Peroxide solution on the leaves and tomorrow I will use a fungicide spry. Early on (2 years ago) I had mites the ones that look like cotton. I was able to cure that.