Help! Fear virus in orchid from Akatsuka Orchids; Coelogyne Usitana

[Roberta]

Be meticulous on sterilizing tools... or, this one is a prime candidate for a single-use single edge razor blade, which will make a nice, clean cut.

[desirue]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Be meticulous on sterilizing tools... or, this one is a prime candidate for a single-use single edge razor blade, which will make a nice, clean cut.

You're right ... I'll probably use a razor blade on this one. I always sterilize my scissors before each use, but this is my first plant with a potential fungal infection, so I would rather leave my scissors for just general trimming and snipping just to be on the safe side.

[SouthPark]

To handle mealybugs - I still use imidacloprid granules.

I put the granules in a spray bottle - with water added. Then I shake it all up until the water changes to a browny colour. Then I use a spray bottle to spray the leaves, stem etc.

After that - it is beneficial to have gentle air-circulation or gentle air-movement, for the leaves etc to dry.

A room with fairly still air can lead to bacterial and/or fungal issues (on leaves/stem etc).

So if the growing area inside a house or room has fairly still air ------ then sometimes (maybe not all the time ---- depends on growing conditions, humidity etc) ----- we may expect issues to occur ... like fungal or bacterial.

[desirue]

Update. This bloom started opening last night. 💚🤍🤎

[Roberta]

Nice!

[DeaC]

Xciting! When my usitana and xyrekes are blooming I find a place to suspend them over my head and bask in their beauty. Coelogynes deserve more attention...if that's your thing, of course.

[desirue]

Originally Posted by DeaC

Xciting! When my usitana and xyrekes are blooming I find a place to suspend them over my head and bask in their beauty. Coelogynes deserve more attention...if that's your thing, of course.

Thanks so much! I do plan on hanging it. It had to unfortunately be quarantined away from my others as it had a pretty nasty fungal infection and a small case of mealies when I received it from the nursery. I'm keeping an eye on it to make sure it hasn't spread ... and it looks like it's contained thankfully. This week she will join my others.

[tucson0rchid87]

worrying too much. coelogyne, stanhopea, lycaste, catasetum, etc. -all seem to spot. if you feel like it, spray for fungus -then leave it alone and water it when needed. nothing you can really do hour by hour -other than drive yourself crazy. orchids do not thrive on neglect, but on patience to do their thing. I have had and still do receive plants that seem to be less than pristine. everyone has a story -yours tells me it was grown outside and exposed to nature. from my limited experience, viruses orchids I've had seem to have more intentional patterns if visually displaying symptoms.