Virus or burn or normal? - Orchid Board

Troythediver · #1 10-20-2013, 12:11 PM

I noticed this black spot on the base of a new growth for my potinara. There are no other black spots that I can see. The leaves all look healthy and I am wondering if what I am seeing is normal. I water it every 7-10 days. What does the group think it is? Virus, burn, or something else. It is also currently growing new roots on the next oldest growth. They have an oddly pitted appearance.

I should also mention that the window was blocked for about three days while my house was being painted. Is it possible that when the sun hit it afterward that it was too much of a shock on this growth?

Troythediver · #2 10-20-2013, 12:15 PM

The roots on the next closest growth.

euplusia · #3 10-20-2013, 01:47 PM

No virus and no sunburn. Eventually higher concentration of salt or inconsistent watering as judged by the roots.. As long as the new growth remains healthy and green, there is nothing to worry about the black base. How long is the new growth. Is it about to ripen? Then this is a normal process.

Troythediver · #4 10-20-2013, 04:19 PM

The new growth is about 6 inches long and has been growing quite fast.

dounoharm · #5 10-20-2013, 08:08 PM

I think what you are seeing as a 'black spot' is the papery shroud that protects the new growth as it rises from the rhizome....it is normal....good luck!

james mickelso · #6 10-21-2013, 12:37 AM

This looks like the next growth bud on the new pbulb and it is rotting. Keep it dry and get5 all that old sheath material off the pbulbs. That is where fungus and bugs hide out waiting to attack the orchid at the first sign of stress. I'm not sure about the condition of the media this is potted in and that could be the reason the new roots don't look to good. Try some seaweed extract on it. Lots of roots look like this occasionally. I'd like to see more pics of the whole plant and good pics of the bases of the other pbulbs. But as to the rot, keep this area of the plant dry as you can. The new growth bud may yet be healthy. If you can very very carefully get something sharp and pointed underneath the sheath covering the bud and get it off, that will go a long way to saving this. Cinnamon on it will also do a lot of good.

Troythediver · #7 10-22-2013, 12:29 AM

The whole plant.

Troythediver · #8 10-22-2013, 12:32 AM

The newest growth with the black area.

Troythediver · #9 10-22-2013, 12:39 AM

Some more distance. I should note that normally I would be watering tomorrow morning because it's been dry (skewer test) for a day.

james mickelso · #10 10-22-2013, 01:30 AM

Yeah. I'd clean this up. Get all the old sheaths off and try very carefully to get that wet thin sheath off the new growth. Very carefully. The best time to repot a catt is when the new growth has started putting out roots. It gives the plant ample time to root itself in the new media. But it is fall with lowering temps and lessening light levels. If this were mine I'd plan to repot, figure out how to keep it warm, and give it as much light as I could short of direct sunlight. Or at least direct sunlight between 10 and 3. If you let this continue to grow in it's current conditions, it will be a struggle to repot it without setting it back next season or the season after that. Those back bulbs are starting the lose energy to the newer pbulbs and the roots on them are not that important now. What is important are the roots on the newest three pbulbs. Repot with those in mind. Into a much smaller pot and with the new pbulb in a more vertical orientation. It should do quite well. Water sparingly. Just enough to keep the new roots hydrated but not so wet that the media stays wet more than a day or two.