phal problem...virus?

[annacello]

Hi,

My mom gave me a phal for my birthday that had beautiful blooms but limp, floppy leaves. I immediately pulled it out of its hole-less, glazed pot to find (surprise!) that it had mostly rotten roots.
I cut off the spike, removed the rotten roots and repotted it in bark and sphagnum moss. Now the leaves have plumped out, but two of the leaves have these weird, mottled sunken areas. There are some white speckles in the sunken areas that won't come off.
I'm worried that it's a virus. Does anyone know if this is a virus, or the result of paridoxically drying out in sodden potting mix? I want to keep the orchid, but I also don't want to fool around with a virus.

Thanks,

Anna

[smwboxer]

Looks more bacterial or fugus than viral to me.

[cindiras]

The photo is showing areas of cell collapse. could be caused by temperature changes, drying out, too much sun, any number of causes. I don't THINK virus when I see this, but virus testing is inexpensive and if you want to be sure, give it a go.

[sadie]

That is definitely not a virus. I think Cindy has it right--it is cell collapse caused by any number of factors. You can't plump back up the white, collapsed cells, but you can keep the plant healthy and the next leaves will be just fine. Also, I'd keep an eye on those black spots. If they start to spread, you'll probably need to cut off the leaf to keep bacteria from spreading. At this point though, the plant really needs that leaf and it is very possible that those black spots are just dead tissue. I would wait and see. If they don't get bigger in a day or two, I'd leave the leaf and just let it recover, grow a new leaf and be ready to bloom again one day.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

That is definitely not a virus. I think Cindy has it right--it is cell collapse caused by any number of factors. You can't plump back up the white, collapsed cells, but you can keep the plant healthy and the next leaves will be just fine. Also, I'd keep an eye on those black spots. If they start to spread, you'll probably need to cut off the leaf to keep bacteria from spreading. At this point though, the plant really needs that leaf and it is very possible that those black spots are just dead tissue. I would wait and see. If they don't get bigger in a day or two, I'd leave the leaf and just let it recover, grow a new leaf and be ready to bloom again one day.

I agree!!

Cheers,
BD

[Gin]

Ditto ....not a virus you could but a dab of peroxcide on the dark spots with a Q tip if they need to dry.... Gin

[mohi]

The leaves look bright green, brighter than a normal bright green IMHO... Perhaps its kept under direct sunlight...

[annacello]

Thank you all for your great input! I guess I won't be throwing it out then just yet. It only has a couple good roots about 1 inch long so it may not make it anyway.

sadie- the black spots have been there since I got the plant and have not spread. I assumed it was damage and not fungus.

mohi- I had the plant under lights because I thought somehow that would help. =\ I've moved it to a shaded windowsill now. It did look too bright green.