Possible Virus

[LeeOrchids]

This is a pretty pale yellow phal of unknown parentage. Earlier this summer, every leaf on this phal began turning an orange/yellow and got progressively worse until they all looked like this. The whole time, it continued to grow roots and even spiked. I assumed it was a "death spike" since it was flowering at an unusual time. I decided to isolate the plant, enjoy the final flowers and trash it when the flowers were done. Well, of course, this plant made a fool of me. Before the flowers dropped, it began to put out new leaves like mad and they were bigger, better and perfect. Not a blemish. The last diseased leaf just fell off and the plant is beautiful again and putting up a second spike.

In early spring, I had an outbreak of ants and brown scale which I quickly irradicated and I even had an exterminator come and get rid of the ants which were farming the scale. Was this a temporary ailment as a result of scale damage? Or is it possibly viral and likely to return? What is the ballpark cost of viral testing? This episode and one other like it has left me a tad paranoid that it may end up being more serious than I realize.

[rich63]

Do the underside of the leaves look that way also ? It could be very bad spider mite damage. I'm no expert. I hope someone else chimes in for you. It doesn't look good though. Good Luck,Rich

[LeeOrchids]

Yes, the underside looked the same way. The thing that made me really nervous is that there is a circular pattern to some of the splotches. But then, like I said, it all went away--the plant is now beautiful. I had new hope because from what I understand, viruses don't just go away. This plant actually looks better than before it took ill.

[Kmac]

I'm not an expert either, but it doesn't really look like the pix of virused leaves I've seen. And if the new growth looks good, I think I would assume it was damage from the insects.

[walingwaling]

looks like something is eating your leaves, not a virus.

[LeeOrchids]

Thanks for the input. Good to know others think it's just related to the previous bug issues.

[orchidlady]

As others have said, doesn't look like virus. It appears to be vascular collapse which can be caused by many things, including pests and cultural conditions. I'm glad the plant is recovered and healthy .

Susan