Mottled new leaves on Phal. Surf Song
 

Have a Phal Surf Song from Hausermann’s that has developed strange mottling mostly on the underside of the new leaves. I’ve had the plant for about 18 months now and it’s been growing well.

I have slow release fertilizer in the pot and it’s potted in mostly coco chips, some moss bark and perlite as well. Though I know there is no way to tell, I’m curious if you think this is a virus or some sort of nutritional deficiency? I planted this one in the coco as a sort of experiment and don’t have other plants in that medium, wondering if maybe the coco might cause this? Also thinking it looks like mosaic virus, but have not encountered that before. Also included a picture of the blooms, I think all surf songs have that color breaking but unsure. Thanks!

Is it getting any magnesium and calcium?

Yes! I use tap water and add MSU from repotme probably 1-2 waterings a month, in addition to the slow release fert I have in the pot (can’t figure out how to add photo in reply but it’s a 13-13-13 fert). I have probably 40 different orchids and do not have this leaf appearance anywhere else.

I'm not sure what's causing that but magnesium deficiency would be my first guess. How are you diluting the fertilizer?

There isn't a lot of magnesium in MSU. Consider supplementing with a teaspoon/5ml of Epsom salts per gallon/3.78 liters of water for 1-2 waterings per month, on different days than you fertilize. It can take months for enough magnesium to be absorbed to improve leaves.

There's no way to tell whether it is a virus without doing a virus test. But the photos I've seen of virused Phals don't look like that. Plants can also be virused with no outward signs at all.

Thanks for your reply! I will try adding that supplement as that would be an easy fix! I’m worried it looks like mosaic virus and obviously it’s very strange compared to the other leaves but there aren’t good examples of mosaic virus in phals online.

Did you look at this?
http:// staugorchidsociety. org/PDF/OrchidViruses.pdf

When I tap on the link I get a blank page.

Must be operating system specific. I wrote the text with spaces so OB wouldn't obscure it, and the underlying link is written as it should be. It works on my Linux and Android devices.

The link should take you to
http://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/OrchidViruses.pdf

I just bought me a new one from them and Ill check mine see what it looks like. Highly unlikely a virus.

my own guess is the light you have is different from the light they had and the plants chlorophyll is moving around looking for the light. ya know head toward the light.. even lighting on the plant will reduce that over time IMO...

I read an article no more than 3-4 weeks ago where this sort of mottling was mentioned, with photos. I can't remember what was the cause, and can't find the article again! As far as I remember it wasn't caused by anything sinister.

I will keep digging in my browser history, to see if I can find it.