Cymbidium - possible fungal infection

[Pencil]

Hello!
Today I went to buy a Cymbidium orchid. The problem is I saw small black spots on the leaves. The woman told me they could be from the cold when they were transported. The plant looks healthy and has flowers. Second problem. There are light brown spots on some of the flowers. I didn't buy the orchid and decided to ask you for advice first. I don't think it has fungus because the spots look nothing like the ones from the pictures I saw. In the end I bought only a Cambria which also has tiny black spots, but they're so tiny and such a small number that I'm not very concerned. The first two pictures are of the Cymbidium (this leaf was in the wost condition) and the second two are of the Cambria (I'm a newbie but it looks healthy to me).
What do you think? I really hope everything is ok because I've been dreaming of this plant from the moment I saw it several days ago. Thank you in advance!
P.S. Could it be a virus?

[Orchid Whisperer]

The first Cymbidium photo shows spotting that could be fungal. I can't tell from the flower photos whether it's disease, mechanical damage, or aging flowers.

[Pencil]

Another question. I read that one of the symptoms of some viruses is color break. Would you consider the pink on the Cymbidium flower in the center a color break? What about the two pink spots on one of the flowers in the image I've uploaded?

[Pencil]

Orchid Whisperer, thank you for replying! The other leaves had only a spot or two. Would you advise me to buy the plant?

[katrina]

Neither looks like color break to me. The first photo just looks like an aging flower and the second appears to some sort of mechanical damage.

The spotting could be fungal...Cyms seem to be very prone to the spotting. As do Oncids and Zygos. I don't think any of it is something to be too concerned about.

As for virus...the only way to ever know for sure is to test. A virused plant can look perfectly healthy and perfectly healthy looking plant could very well be virused.

[Pencil]

Thank you very much! The problem with virus testing is that the hobbies (including keeping plants) aren't very developed in my country and that's why I don't think I'll find virus testers. How can a virus be transmitted? I know that using the same cutting tools is a way, but are there others? What would happen if a leaf of a sick plant touches that of a non-sick or if a sick plant is in one room with healthy ones? I'm asking because I have other orchids in the same room. So you advise me to buy it? Also, I may not be able to buy a fungicide immediately and I will keep the infected plant in one room with the others. Will they be infected?
Some of my other orchids have had strange spots on their leaves for years. Can I ask you about them here or in a new thread.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Pencil

Orchid Whisperer, thank you for replying! The other leaves had only a spot or two. Would you advise me to buy the plant?

As Dirty Harry said, "do you feel lucky"?
Seriously, there are pros and cons, and ultimately the decision is yours.

---------- Post added at 08:09 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:20 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Pencil

Thank you very much! The problem with virus testing is that the hobbies (including keeping plants) aren't very developed in my country and that's why I don't think I'll find virus testers. How can a virus be transmitted? I know that using the same cutting tools is a way, but are there others? What would happen if a leaf of a sick plant touches that of a non-sick or if a sick plant is in one room with healthy ones? I'm asking because I have other orchids in the same room. So you advise me to buy it? Also, I may not be able to buy a fungicide immediately and I will keep the infected plant in one room with the others. Will they be infected?
Some of my other orchids have had strange spots on their leaves for years. Can I ask you about them here or in a new thread.

Your last question, I suggest new thread(s).

Other matters: there are virus testing labs in Europe and the United States, and you could contact one of them for advice. I have no idea if they can accept your plant material for testing, but they might be able to tell you where to find a virus testing lab you can use, or send you home test kits.

I've never heard of airborne orchid virus transmission, butvIm not a plant virologist. Viruses are spread by plant juices contacting plant-to-plant, either through improperly sterilized tools (flame sterilize, or use a strong oxidizer like chlorine bleach), insect transmission, or direct contact of broken or bruised leaves, roots, stems, or exuded sap.

Regarding fungus, you can supress fungus to some extent by providing optimal growing conditions and supplemental calcium and magnesium. I supply Ca and Mg by dissolving gypsum (or plaster of Paris) and Epsom salts, about 1 or 2 ml each per 4 liters, and mixing Roughly 250 to 500 ml of that solution per 4 liters when I water. I've had Vandas with a significant Phyllosticta infection lose the infection with proper nutrition, sunlight, air movement, and Ca + Mg, without adding fungicide treatment. I do have fungicide for persistent cases.

I recommend that anyone wanting to know more about orchid nutrition, diseases, and general orchid care spend a lot of time reading the articles posted on the St. Augustine Orchid Society website. St. Augustine Orchid Society - North Florida Orchid Growing They provide a lot of good information.

[Pencil]

Thank you for the long reply! This information is very useful to me.
I'll try to find a laboratory or virus tests for the orchids I have.
I didn't know about the sterilizing of the tools until a couple of days ago when I read about it. Good thing I didn't like cutting leaves!
I'll definitely use your Ca+Mg recipe! I'll probably water all my orchids with this solution to be sure all of them are healthy. I can use it every time I water?
Thank you for the link. I read the parasite articles before creating the tread. It was very useful and I will surely continue using the site in the future.
I probably won't buy the cymbidium. I don't want to risk an infestation. I also found a flower market which has a variety of orchids! I'm going there tomorrow.