Den virus?
 

I bought this Den from HD maybe 9 months ago along with another similar one. The other one's leaves started getting yellow splotches. I thought it might be a fungal issue, so I sprayed with neem oil, only thing I know to do. Pretty quickly it got really bad fast, and a couple of the leaves started getting brown mushy places where the yellow had taken over, and yellow was beginning to be on every leaf. So I got rid of it, hoping that whatever disease wouldn't spread to the other nearby orchids. So, now a month or so has gone by, and these leaves are looking ever so slightly yellowish blotchy. It may not look that bad in the pictures, but these leaves were solid medium green before, and this discoloring has only been noticeable in the past couple of weeks. It's not a huge loss if I need to get rid of it, but of course I'd rather not. Can anybody offer advice, please?

Gage, I can't really tell by the pictures, but Dens just lose their leaves and like almost overnight. They really hate to be repotted or over-watered? Done either?

Haven't repotted, and I generally let it mostly dry out before watering. I suppose I could have overwatered? I'll check the roots.

Whatever it is, it isn't virus. Virus doesn't come on that quickly.

What would indicate virus?

Gage - here is a link to a site with great pictures of virus in orchids;

Virus in Orchids Photo Gallery by Admiral Schnitz at pbase.com

Thanks, Glengary! Photos 4 and 5 look very very similar to the condition of the previously suffering Den (rip). So this one seems to be going the same route. What do you do for a virus? Is there anything?

Gage - If it is indeed virus, there is nothing you can do for it. Some plants live for many years before they finally give up the ghost. The few virused plants that I found in my collection, after testing the entire collection, got pitched on the burn pile. I am a fanatic when it comes to torching my clippers but that is not the only way that it can be spread. It's up to you, you can keep the plant but isloate it of you can throw it away.

To be sure, you'll want to test for virus. Agdia brand test strips have been reccommended by many on this board...I believe a number of orchid supply companies online sell these. Definitely test before discarding this plant! (Which, IMO, looks fine to me...I doubt that virus is causing that "blotchiness"...but test it to be sure, and let us know what you find out).

Claire,

I sent Gage virus testing kits last week and indeed the plant tested positive for 2 virus', the plant has found it's way to the trash.