Long neglected mite victim

[bogdan]

Hello, dear forum
Today I received this badly neglected noid cattleya from a friend getting rid of every plant (apparently plant burn-out is a thing). It has been sucked by many mites, as it was covered with white tiny specks that were easy to remove with a cloth. This plant looks suspicious and I don't know what to make of (or with) it. I did dunk it in a bleach solution as seen elsewhere (on youtube).

Could these black spots be a secondary infection from all the bites or is this doomed (and perhaps virus showing?) and looking forward to some green tree-top pastures?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Bleach??? A suggestion for the future - ask before taking a radical step. Chlorine bleach is a very strong oxidizer. That alone could be the end of your weakened plant. I have heard of using a bleach soak too; I would be reluctant to do so due to risk of killing the roots and damaging the leaves.
See:
https://www.aos.org/AOS/media/Conten...erProblems.pdf Search for comments on bleach.

Mites usually leave a red to orange-yellow smear on a cloth dampened beforehand. The mites are usually pale yellow to red-orange. White specks could be something different (juvenile scale, thrips, or mealybugs).

Because you had insects, I would not conclude virus yet. A secondary infection (fungus, etc.) is certainly possible. I would isolate the plant though, if you want to nurse it back to health. If the roots are alive, and remain alive, you may have a chance.

[dangerouseddy]

ive had plants damaged by mites that have had the black stippling on leaves so it might be ok.

probably a good idea to keep a watchfully eye on it and keep it separate from your other plants till your sure its ok.

[bogdan]

Thank you both for your help.

I saw people dunking plants in bleach solution that survived afterwards (both the people and the plants) and figured it's either it survives with a lessened chance of infecting others or it dies and that's that, anyway it would have died in the former location.

[estación seca]

Two much less damaging treatments for mites are 70% alcohol spray, and spraying with liquid dish detergent 5ml in 1 liter of water. Both treatment kill only adults, not eggs, so must be repeated several times at 4-6 day intervals. I use the alcohol because soap leaves a film on the leaves, and isopropyl alcohol is readily available here in the US.