Orchids tested for viruses - negative

[Kita]

Hi guys,

I tested two of my orchids which are Odontocidium Tiger Barb and Baellara Peggy Ruth Carpenter "Morning Joy" which looked suspicious and I got negative results. I even did test twice for Tiger Barb just to make sure. What are these spots then? Should I be worried? I purchased these orchids online and they arrived like that.


Odontocidium

[Kita]

And Beallara

[78Terp]

I have heard that this is caused by misting/humidity. I have it on some of my oncidium types too. I do spray Physan on it from time to time to see if it helps. The good thing is that it doesn't affect the flowers or really hurt the orchid as best as I can tell (I am still in my first year of my 'orchid problem'). More than anything, it is a cosmetic issue, I believe.

Others can chime in on this and let me know if I am living in a fool's paradise or if my understanding is correct.

[Kita]

I don't really mist my plants, so they must have done something wrong in the nursery. Other than the spots, plants are in good condition and blooming/spiking. Your answer is sort of relieving

[78Terp]

I know Onc Sharry Baby orchids are known for having this.

[zainal abidin]

Actually I hate to see this black spots on the orchids leaf so difficult to clear from your plants and very aggressive will infect others like vandas etc, basically it's due to fungal infection such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, Fusarium, Anthracnose, Botrytis, and Cercospora. These fungal agents attack various parts of the plant, including roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. One way you need to apply in order to prevent normal leaves from this irritating organism is by spraying Manconzeb and Benomyl every alternate week. The black spots nothing much you can do as the cell tissue already gone.Looks very ugly eeeeee.Better isolate them from normal plants.

[78Terp]

Thanks Zain.

I'll look into these products and get them on my orchids.

[Kita]

so, I cut off the worst looking leaves and washed the rest with Hydrogen Peroxide 3%. I even washed Beallara's roots. It's just for now until I get some proper stuff. I hope it won't spread...

[Carolla]

Keeping your plants in decent humidity and with air movement helps them to fight off the fungus too. I finally bought Physan to spray my Onc alliance orchids and the new growth is clear. I'm going to keep up with that in hopes of eventually having nice unspotted plants. Some of mine have gotten worse, poor care is part of it, I think. I'm working on giving them more appropriate conditions.

[78Terp]

I spend maybe $10/month running my fans!