Is this fusarium?

[Irielicious]

Originally Posted by Lamia189

Hi guys...
So I have just received my order from shwerter this morning. I have ordered 4 orchids and two of them aren't in their best shape. Two miltonias I bought seem to have their pseudo bulbs stretched out from one another, as if they were lacking nutrients to form properly? So when I was reporting the first one, i have decided to cut off a shriveled pseudobulb from which all the other ones were extending. Upon my shock I have noticed a red ring in the cut... Can you guys please tell me if this is an orchid infected with fusarium? If yes, are my other orchids I bought infected now too? I have bought two small oncidiums as well but they were all packed in plastic, so they weren't really touching... I'm not sure how the disease spreads, I have only seen the symptoms and know the results... thanks!

IT is a fungus so it spreads by any little disturbance, but mainly moisture. In my novice opinion it does look like fusarium. If you placed them near one another or even touched one with moist hands then the other it can be enough to spread the fungus. This is why you should always clean instruments (including your hands) between plants and never share water.

This fungus makes the orchids look like they are failing to thrive because they create like a choke point (that purple red ring) where the nutrients of the plant cannot flow. The only real way to know for sure though is to test the plant. I would contact the buyer, send them pictures and explain to them you got a sick orchid and would like a replacement. Sorry you are going through this...hope you kept the new plants away from your collection