Bands on odontocidium - Orchid Board

Arachnida · #1 02-25-2016, 03:43 AM

Hey everyone, I got this orchid about a month ago From my partner and I've noticed recently (I've been busy, so I didn't do a thorough check of it until now so they might of always been there) these purple/brown bands on two of the pseudobulbs, and red spots on the leaf tips (which I originally thought was due to sun until I saw the bands).
Also, one of the leaf tips was exposed to direct sun and has formed a strange pattern between the sun damaged part and the health tissue.
I am wondering is this orchid virused? Or does anyone know what else could cause the purple bands?
Thank you for any help!

Arachnida · #2 02-25-2016, 03:46 AM

Sorry for some reason I can't upload more than one picture

Arachnida · #3 02-25-2016, 03:48 AM

Last one

WhiteRabbit · #4 02-25-2016, 08:28 PM

I'm afraid I don't see what you are describing as bands on the pbulbs ? The ridges / creases on pbulbs may be from either under or over watering, and/or age. The new growth is coming in smooth (as opposed to pleated), so I would think that it's getting watered properly now.

The leaf tip in the second pic is dried out - that could be natural - I can't see, but it looks like that is bract foliage ? (the leaves the are on the sides of the pbulb) - those don't live as long as the leaves on the tops of the pbulbs, so it could be just naturally dying, tho I'm not sure about that darker area below the dried up part ... does that seem to be dried, or is it soft?

Third pic - is that new growth? Are spots on both sides of the leaf?

I'm not the most knowledgeable about viruses, but I don't think anything looks likely to be from one.

Hopefully others can chime in!

Arachnida · #5 02-25-2016, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

I'm afraid I don't see what you are describing as bands on the pbulbs ? The ridges / creases on pbulbs may be from either under or over watering, and/or age. The new growth is coming in smooth (as opposed to pleated), so I would think that it's getting watered properly now.

The leaf tip in the second pic is dried out - that could be natural - I can't see, but it looks like that is bract foliage ? (the leaves the are on the sides of the pbulb) - those don't live as long as the leaves on the tops of the pbulbs, so it could be just naturally dying, tho I'm not sure about that darker area below the dried up part ... does that seem to be dried, or is it soft?

Third pic - is that new growth? Are spots on both sides of the leaf?

I'm not the most knowledgeable about viruses, but I don't think anything looks likely to be from one.

Hopefully others can chime in!

Is this a better picture?
Yes in the third picture that is the lowest leaf on new growth, the higher leaves on the new growth don't have the dots yet. The spots aren't on both sides of the leaves, they are all on the underside except one leaf on an older growth that has a single small spot on the top side of the leaves (and many spots on the under side too)

And on the dried up leaf picture, the dark spot behind it is dry, not soft or moist.

Arachnida · #6 02-25-2016, 09:09 PM

I drew lines under both of the bands to try and make it a little more obvious.. in real life they are really obvious and form very distinct V shapes

estación seca · #7 02-26-2016, 01:53 AM

I suspect the bands on the pseudobulb were there when you got the plant. They look like they were growth interruptions of some sort.

The browning leaf tip can be caused by not enough water or humidity. Usually fungus causes a darker brown leaf tip. The lowest one or two leaf-like things on many Oncidiums, paired on each side of the pseudobulb, are more bract than leaf, and they usually turn brown and drop off long before the leaf does. The new growth often comes from the top angle where this bract meets the pseudobulb.

I don't think your plant is sick. You rarely can tell whether the plant is virused without testing it.

WhiteRabbit · #8 02-26-2016, 09:29 PM

Heavy spotting on new growth seems unusual to me. Has weather been very damp and/or cold?

Arachnida · #9 02-27-2016, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Heavy spotting on new growth seems unusual to me. Has weather been very damp and/or cold?

No, the weather has been hot and humid here (I live in Queensland, Australia). The temperature usually sits around 30 degrees C or 86 degrees F during this time of year.

---------- Post added at 08:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:15 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by estación seca

I suspect the bands on the pseudobulb were there when you got the plant. They look like they were growth interruptions of some sort.

The browning leaf tip can be caused by not enough water or humidity. Usually fungus causes a darker brown leaf tip. The lowest one or two leaf-like things on many Oncidiums, paired on each side of the pseudobulb, are more bract than leaf, and they usually turn brown and drop off long before the leaf does. The new growth often comes from the top angle where this bract meets the pseudobulb.

I don't think your plant is sick. You rarely can tell whether the plant is virused without testing it.

Thank you for the reply. Growth interruptions probably make sense, the orchid has had shrivelled pseudobulbs since I got it so it mustn't of been getting enough water where it came form.

WhiteRabbit · #10 02-27-2016, 09:46 PM

Sorry I can't be very helpful - Oncidiums can be prone to leaf spotting that isn't harmful, but it does seem unusual to have such heavy spotting on new growth. High humidity with lack of circulation could possibly have contributed. Being limited, I don't think it's hugely concerning, but I'd watch to see if it gets worse.