Zygonisia spotting - Orchid Board

Ashleyma23 · #1 02-17-2015, 09:30 PM

I bought this orchid at Trader Joes a few days ago because of the beautiful leaves and flowers. It has approximately 13 bulbs on it and 5 spikes. It has a spotting on the underside of the leaves. It has very healthy roots. Is this the normal spotting for these types.

One of the new growths has three spikes !! How is that even possible. Two are off either sides of the plant and the third is hanging from the back stuck on there

Ashleyma23 · #2 02-17-2015, 09:31 PM

Another photo

The spikes seem to be loosing the green color and are fading to a beige . The four of them haven't bloomed yet , I hope they won't drop the blooms

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Ashleyma23 · #3 02-17-2015, 09:32 PM

Another one

lotis146 · #4 02-17-2015, 10:18 PM

I suspect it's normal spotting, though I'm curious to see what some more experienced members think. I do see a spot on a couple of the pbulbs. I have a Zygonisia Roquebrune with a pbulb with lots of black spotting on it. I've assumed it to be normal but I may wind up learning from here that's not the case. Good luck! In the meantime keep it away from the others till you confirm it's okay.

katrina · #5 02-18-2015, 08:52 AM

The spotty leaves is the reason I stopped growing Zygos. Love the flowers...hated the ugly foliage. The entire group seems to be prone to spotting (like many Oncids) and while it's not harmful to the plant...it can be quite unsightly.

What I'm seeing in the pics looks like the typical spottiness and as long as that's all it is...it isn't something that can be transmitted to other orchids.

As for the multiple spikes...it's very common for the group. W/proper care/culture, you should get at least 2 per growth.

NYCorchidman · #6 02-18-2015, 03:31 PM

I see these at my TJs as well.
As much as I love the flowers, especially the blue purple on this one, I also stay away from this and any oncidium related orchids with spotty leaves.

Some say spots are fine, but in general, all those spots are due to fungal organisms.

What is odd is that they don't seem to affect other orchids very much, or at least not to the same extend, but still, it just worries me too much (mostly just mental lol) and it takes the fun out of the hobby.

If your collection is rather small or mostly consist of oncidium type or phals (which I have never had any leaf spotting issues), I say why not.

lotis146 · #7 02-18-2015, 03:46 PM

There are actually quite a few it seems that aren't so afflicted by this. My collection of Zygo hybrids has grown but only one of mine so far is really troubled by this, even after having several outside for all if not part of the summer which means they go rained on and I don't dry the leaves afterwards. Most notably my Zygolum Rhein Moonlight does not have this problem. But I get why it bugs people.

NYCorchidman · #8 02-18-2015, 04:00 PM

Oncidiums and related hybrids are prone to this, but not all of them.

Ones that I had and never developed any spots were the common yellow dancing lady (mine was Sweet Sugar), Tahoma Glacier 'Sugar Sweet', Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance', quite a few different Wilsonara and more.
Others I bought were of course spot free (otherwise I won't spend a dime lol) in the beginning but sooner or later, they would develop spots and that's when I toss. lol

Ashleyma23 · #9 02-18-2015, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I see these at my TJs as well.
As much as I love the flowers, especially the blue purple on this one, I also stay away from this and any oncidium related orchids with spotty leaves.

Some say spots are fine, but in general, all those spots are due to fungal organisms.

What is odd is that they don't seem to affect other orchids very much, or at least not to the same extend, but still, it just worries me too much (mostly just mental lol) and it takes the fun out of the hobby.

If your collection is rather small or mostly consist of oncidium type or phals (which I have never had any leaf spotting issues), I say why not.

Thanks NYorchidman , I like your input. I Might be a little paranoid now ! I still have my receipt and I will probably return it. Maybe they received new shipments. I have been dying for a sherry baby !! I haven't seen any dancing lady's I did have one a few years back and I actually loved the yellow on it!

---------- Post added at 10:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:18 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Oncidiums and related hybrids are prone to this, but not all of them.

Ones that I had and never developed any spots were the common yellow dancing lady (mine was Sweet Sugar), Tahoma Glacier 'Sugar Sweet', Oncidium Sharry Baby 'Sweet Fragrance', quite a few different Wilsonara and more.
Others I bought were of course spot free (otherwise I won't spend a dime lol) in the beginning but sooner or later, they would develop spots and that's when I toss. lol

Where is a good place to buy a sherry baby?

NYCorchidman · #10 03-04-2015, 01:42 PM

Well, if it worries you, then you should not keep it.
If you grocery shop at TJ often, then you can always have a look at their orchids every time you visit them. Then snatch the "clean" looking ones.

I don't know about a good place to get a sharry baby, but TJ always have ones with the worst leaves ever. lol

I once bought my gigantic sized sharry baby at a local flower shop. Not a single spot on the leaves.

If you can attend a show, or see any in bloom in person, then you can safely buy them after personally examining the plant.