Bacterial? Fungal? Sunburn?

[Call_Me_Bob]

the colors are great. but the shape is awesome

[VickiC]

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

Originally Posted by Anisa

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!

[VickiC]

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

Originally Posted by BobInBonita

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.

[VickiC]

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

Originally Posted by Ray

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.