Help! Mysterious rings killing leaves!

[planetnatural]

I need help figuring out what is happening to some of my orchids. There are raised rings that show up on the leaves and then hours later the leaf will turn completely yellow and die. I just got these orchids in the mail about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Does anyone know what this could be??????

[JDT]

Not a clue, never seen this. You might want to contact who you got them from and see if they know.

[calypsoB]

hi! I don't know what it is but I noticed black on the upper part of the picture and wondered if it was on the same plant? It looks like fungus to me, but I really don't know.I am very curious though! I agree with the other poster and contact the seller to see what it is. Is it happening to all your plants? How long ago did it start?
ETA: you issue has me very interested and I came across this info (note the halo around spot):
LEAF SPOTS and BLOTCHES (Fungi: Cercospora, Colletotrichum, Septoria, Phyllosticta)
SYMPTOMS: Leaf-spotting fungi produce unsightly speckles and blotches on the leaves of orchids such as Dendrobium, Cattleya, Oncidium and Vanda. The spots are often rough to the touch. There may be a halo surrounding new spots. Microscopic examination will reveal the presence of fungus tissue and distinctive spores.

CONSEQUENCES: Premature leaf fall reduces plant vigour and flowering potential. Severely infected plants may die prematurely. Spots mar the appearance.

CONTROL: Burn or otherwise dispose of diseased material. Improve air circulation and adjust temperature to plant type. Spray with a locally approved fungicide.

[planetnatural]

Not to all of them. There are about four that it is happening to. I have cut the leaves off with sterilized pruners. It has been happening for about 3 days, but it is getting serious. I don't want to spray a fungicide on them if that is not what the problem is though, and the place that I got them from is in Hawaii and they are closed on the weekend and there is a big time difference.

[Kelo]

That sounds like a virus but will need more details about the plant; how long have you had it, was it like this when you got it, any more of your plants with the same symptoms, watering/feeing regime etc. Doesn't look good though. By the look of the leaves further down the cane it looks as if they need a lot more water.

[calypsoB]

well I obviously have waaaayyy too much time on my hands to be reading all of this! but the closet thing that I could find that looked similar to yours (not quite the same though) was from this website:
Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (Tospovirus TSWV ) on orchids ( ) - 5384900

I also read an article stating that this virus has been found in Hawaii on orchids too.
BUT again I really know nothing about any of this and this is from pure fascination- I am sorry for your orchids but to me this is so cool!
PS I need to get back to Finishing my essays!LOL!

[Kelo]

Originally Posted by planetnatural

Not to all of them. There are about four that it is happening to. I have cut the leaves off with sterilized pruners. It has been happening for about 3 days, but it is getting serious. I don't want to spray a fungicide on them if that is not what the problem is though, and the place that I got them from is in Hawaii and they are closed on the weekend and there is a big time difference.

I would be throwing them out. If it is that virus you could end up losing every plant you have.

[camille1585]

Those rings do look suspiciously like some sort of ring spot virus, but then again the rate at which it is spreading and killing the leaves makes me think more of a fungal problem. All the viruses I know do not kill off their host plant that quickly.

[Kelo]

I have a feeling that that 'virus' lays hidden inside the plant for some time then rapidly duplicates. Those lower leaves look wrinkly which could indicate infection if the plant is watered correctly - I have no reason to think it isn't. I think that this has spread farther than it may first appear.

[quiltergal]

Although it's interesting in a train wreck sort of way, it doesn't really matter what it is. Keep it away from your other plants, and either send it back to the vendor or toss it and ask for a refund ASAP. Shipping a plant like that is totally unacceptable.