leaf problem

[brit6v]

I'm sorry that I haven't replied to each of you before now, but I've been under the weather and had a series of med. tests yesterday. I feel fine today, so on with my leaf issue.

Do all the leaves have those spots? The new growths too?

ang709...
Yes, all of the leaves have spots but the latest new growth is so new that I can't tell yet if it will have them or not. In fact the spots seem to look more prevalent today. Hard to tell, though because the entire plant looks very bad (past sunburn, most likely bacterial...not sure ??)

I would keep it away from the other orchids, but first - do the other leaves have the same issues as this one? Did this just happen or has it been this way for a long time? I hope it is not a virus, Vicki.

Cheers,
BD

Bruce, I brought it inside the house 2 days ago...but it's been in my greenhouse with the others a big part of the summer, unfortunately. Yes, all of the leaves do have spots...same as the leaf I sent a picture of initially. I bought the plant earlier in the summer (can't remember exactly when) here online from a reputable vendor. It arrived very healthy with no issues at all that were apparent. A very nice plant. In fact, I purchased 2 plants at once from the same vendor. The plant that I don't have pictured does not show the same signs as the orchid that you see but I have isolated it, as well, since it was shipped to me in the same box. Here's what I have observed since the time I rec'd my sick plant: Shortly after getting it, it got a bad case of sunburn (totally my fault, of course). Sometime after that, I noticed dark areas on 2 (or 3??) of the leaves which I assumed may have been a poss. bacterial infection following/because of the sunburn ??. 2 days ago, I noticed the cylindrical leaf spots as I was watering. Both the very dark areas and the spots seem to be more prevalent today...especially the very dark areas which are slightly mushy, as well. This plant has taken a complete turn-a-round from the day I rec'd it nice, healthy and happy.

hmmm, scary stuff, had very similar looking leaves on some bulbos, i noticed it grows very quickly, lets say 3-5 days, until the whole leaf turns yellow within a week and falls off.
im still observing the new growths.

pls, keep us posted, in case you have your plant tested.
thanks!

walingwaling...
Yes, indeed...whatever is going on is certainly scary stuff. I have never had a plant with issues that have gotten worse this quickly, so I can relate to you. I plan to send a leaf sample to be virus analyzed as soon as I learn where and how to do this. I have no idea at all who to contact or even how/where to buy a home sample kit...how to use it, etc. This is something I'm gonna have to learn about.

....................
Thanks to all of you who have replied to me. If any of you have more advice and/or input, I would very much appreciate your help...either here or via PM. I am not at all concerned with keeping this orchid (or the other one that was shipped to me in the same box)....I'll trash them in a heartbeat. As it would be with all of you (and may have already been), my only concern is for the remainder of my collection, if this plant is virused. Also, I am sending some random photos that I snapped earlier this morn.
Vicki

[ang709]

I agree with you that the sunburn may have led to a bacterial infection.

Have you sprayed with anything like Physan? Also you may want to remove the leaves that are turning completely black, or at least cut below the black, then dust the cut with cinnamon.

I hope you are feeling better.

[walingwaling]

hi vicki,
thanks for the updates and new pix. im more convinced now that it isnt a virus, more like a fungi or bacterial problem, possibly caused by insects or mites. especially the smaller leaves on the new growth, seems like the juices were sucked out. pls check the leaves while rubbing your fingers over it, if there is any reddish color sticking on it.

i've read somewhere that leaf testing would cost around 5 us dollars and it can prove costly, so in most cases people wouldnt bother, if it isnt for an expensive plant or breeding purposes.

as for your plant now, you would lose probably all the leaves, keep it separated from others meanwhile, observe and hopefully things turn out well.

[orchidlady]

I agree with Ron. Viruses don't generally progress that fast, but bacterial infections are so fast they can do a plant in within a couple days. It is also possible to have virus that has made it susceptible to a secondary bacterial infection. Is there any bad odor with the affected areas? Bacterial infections often have a bad smell.

Susan

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, not a virus. you can probably save this one. It will be a long recovery as it will need to grow new leaves since all of these are in poor condition.

Glad it is not a virus and did not hurt your other orchids.

Cheers,
BD