Sunburn? Bacterial? Fungal?
 

What is wrong...and can my Yam Queen Adelia 'Kilani' be saved or is it too far gone?

Last Spring, I failed to put my shadecloth up as early as I should and a few of my orchids were sunburned. I assumed this was one of them, so I dismissed that it may not have been, slapped my hand and vowed to try harder to never let sunburn happen again due to my shadecloth judgement. My orchid's appearance hasn't seemed to chance since the sunburn incident except the yellow leaves which were noticable recently--several days ago, maybe slightly earlier but if so, I somehow overlooked them. These yellow leaves are not particulary mushy but not as firm as the rest of the leaves, although all leaves are affected in some way. All pseudobulbs seem firm and it has also grown a few nice new roots recently.

I bought it and another of the same online from a reputable nursery almost 2 yrs. ago. The other plant looks slightly similar to this one, but much less pronounced as far as dark leaf speckles and dark coloration goes. It seems perfectly healthy with no yellow leaves. By the way, both are purple underneath the leaves.

Whatever the problem, is it something that could/will spread to my other orchids and is there anything I can do to possibly prevent this?

Both orchids bloomed nicely last year so I would hate to lose them.

I would appreciate any advice you can offer.
Vicki

Tindomul
 

Thanks for moving my post, Tindomul. I don't know why I failed to ask my question in the disease section....I knew to do that but I guess I just had getting my pictures together on my mind ?? :dunno:

Even though I had said that all pseudobulbs were firm, I checked again....and for the most part, they are....BUT I believe that someone with more experience may call them slightly mushy to a point. There's only one that is a bit more firm than the rest. There is definitely no wet, ozzing or seeping anywhere on the plant, though! That's a positive. Now that I think of it, I seem to remember reading a post somewhere which states that a bacterial infection can/sometimes follow(s) sunburn (something to that effect). ?? I am certainly not positive that I read this correctly, though. Old age=bad memory. Sad but often true. :(

In my short 3 yrs. of orchid growing, I don't recall having sunburn or an infection until this incident so I may have misled other members when I stated the details of my question.

I have one more picture of this orchid, but I feel that it won't be the least bit helpful to you. It is one that I just took for fun....along with some of my phals whose blooms were fading and some already dropped.

I'm sure it's too late to edit my question post, so maybe I'll try to type a note referring to what I have just told you. What do you think?
Vicki

im not sure what is wrong, but i hope you can save it. those flowers are gorgeous!!

with all the red color I would think sunburn...

I wouldnt worry about purple color but spots and yellowing looks like bacterial brown spot (Pseudomonas). The affected parts need to be cut off and plant needs to be treated cooper based bactericides like Phyton27 or whatever you can get. Hope this helps!

I lean towards sunburn. I always try to keep my 'chids towards the high end, and when I go just over their tolerance they have gotten the leathery, brown- purple-red look like some of your leaves.

You mention you've had them two years, and it's hard for me to see the medium in your pictures. It looks kind of "barky" in one and mossy in another. Moss at two years can be iffy.

I would:
check the roots and media on both - repot now if rotten and when starting to grow if solid.
trim the leaves that look dried out,
trim the black areas.

The rest of your collection looks great. You're doing things right for most, probably just need some tweaking on these.

In my experience, sunburn results in parchment-like patches on the leaves, and they usually appear a matter of days or a week or two after the exposure, not many months later.

I would think that if this was a bacterial infection, substantial rotting would be present, which does not seem to be the case.

That makes me think that the plants could be carrying a virus, but not being all that knowledgeable about them, I cannot say for sure.

help
 

Yes, I agree....they are sooo pretty! The colors are right down my alley! :D

Thanks for your reply,
Vicki

johnblagg
 

Hi John,
No more will I make the shadecloth mistake that I did if I can help it. I'm unfortunately a pro at turning my poor orchids "sunburn-red".
Thanks for your reply,
Vicki

the colors are great. but the shape is awesome

Anisa
 

Hi Anisa,
After I read your reply, I looked through Sue Bottom's PDF "Orchid Pests and Diseases-Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention". Bacterial brown spot doesn't sound like anything I want. In case the entire problem is not sunburn alone, I took your advice and cut off as much as I could but unfortunately, I don't have anything to treat the plant with...there are no sources at all in this area. I was waiting to hear what people recommended before I ordered online. I hope it won't be too late for my plant by the time I receive something to treat it with. Now that you mention Phyton27, I'll try to get that. I just placed an order from Ray earlier this week and I should have thought to order some to have on hand. The order has already gone out because I got an e-mail telling of a shipping date, which was yesterday. I'll still try to get some (or something copper based, as you mentioned).
Thanks for your reply and advice.
Vicki

BobInBonita
 

Hi Bob,
I hope sunburn is the entire problem. My Epi. Mabel Kanda has done much better this last year and I'm guessinig maybe it's because I gave it quite a bit more light than in the past...so I know now what you're saying. I'll keep an eye on the other two that I'm treating the same way and remember what you tell me.

I can see why the pictures of the medium are misleading. The plant's potted in a bark, charcoal (etc.) mix. Sometime in the past I read a post from someone who suggested adding an additional top layer of sphag in hopes of preventing moisture loss. At this early point in my newly acquired hobby of growing orchids, I'll try most anything that members more experienced than me suggest (well, that statement might be pushing it a little). After a trial period, I make the decision if the suggestion works in my conditions.....the sphag idea didn't. I just hadn't removed it from the plant yet. In fact, sphag hasn't worked for me except when trying for roots on a sick plant.

I did check the medium and roots and sadly the roots were dead except for some new ones. I trimmed the dead ones away then repotted.

Thanks for your encouragement and compliment on my other orchids. These nice remarks always helps a new grower along. Most of my catts are healthy and growing nicely, but I have had very, very few blooms from them...almost none to speak of. Maybe they're too young ?? Maybe not enough light ?? Time will tell..."you live, you learn". All of my phals have re-bloomed more than once, though. I've had a little luck with a few other different orchid types, as well....although some look healthy but haven't bloomed yet. All in all, orchids have been fun for me so far.
I appreciate your reply and advice,
Vicki

Ray
 

Hi Ray,
The parchment-like patches did appear on the leaves shortly after my sunburn incident, but since the yellowed leaves became apparent only lately, I'm puzzled. More than a bit worried, in fact.

I'm sure you've read Anisa's advice. Since I have no idea what I'm dealing with, I'm gonna try different angles to be on the safe side. I wish I had thought to order Phyton or something similar when I ordered from you earlier this week....but "timing is often not on my side". Actually, I'm usually the problem....I often act before I think of potentials rather than think before I act. This most often doesn't work out for the best.

As for a virus, Ray that's a dirty word. I've had to send a sample from another plant to Critter Creek in the past and I feel that I should do the same with this one since you mention that possibility.
Thanks for your reply and advice,
Vicki