Sudden affliction on leaves

[Walter Meshaka]

Good morning folks. Here are above and underneath photos of three leaves of a Dend. spectabile I've had for four years. FWIW, was virus-free when acquired.Took about a week for this to present itself. It is otherwise thriving with root and new lead development. Any ideas on what this is? Help greatly appreciated.

 

[big923cattleya]

It very well could be a virus. But I am not saying with any degree of certainty.
I think it is far more likely to be a fungal disease, or maybe bacterial. In my experience viral issues are rarely seen spread all over like that.
I would visit the Saint Augustine Orchid Society's web page where they have wonderful postings or examples of all types of orchid diseases including care and treatment.
In the meantime isolate the plant as of yesterday, until you are sure. There are really no effective cures for viruses.
Also, how is your sterilization processes?? Watering from above helps to spread diseases. Do you sterilize tools, wear gloves, etc.?
If it is a virus, it should be tossed immediately, if not sooner.

 

[Walter Meshaka]

It very well could be a virus. But I am not saying with any degree of certainty.
I think it is far more likely to be a fungal disease, or maybe bacterial. In my experience viral issues are rarely seen spread all over like that.
I would visit the Saint Augustine Orchid Society's web page where they have wonderful postings or examples of all types of orchid diseases including care and treatment.
In the meantime isolate the plant as of yesterday, until you are sure. There are really no effective cures for viruses.
Also, how is your sterilization processes?? Watering from above helps to spread diseases. Do you sterilize tools, wear gloves, etc.?
If it is a virus, it should be tossed immediately, if not sooner.

Thanks for response. I'm careful around virus. Out of Agdia strips. A virused plant is always tossed. Very rare now with my testing. I recently addef Maco,eb to my fungicide arsenal. I will check if copper in it. Otherwise monthly treat with Cleary 3336, Liette 3x/yr. My hunch is bacteria but unsure. I'll check the St. Augustine site. A superb go-to.

 

[gonewild]

Looks like virus type symptoms. Repetitive shapes. Maybe a virus that your tests don't recognize?

 

[Walter Meshaka]

Interesting. I use Agdia tests for the top two. Older leaves that suddenly got this.

 

[SelectOrchids]

Definitely a virus, possibly even Orchid Fleck Virus. Agdia tests can be used only for the specific viruses they are designed for. The proper management policy is that if a plant looks virused, throw it away. If it has no symptoms, test it. There are too many viruses to test, and if there are symptoms, there is no need to go further.

 

[Walter Meshaka]

Definitely a virus, possibly even Orchid Fleck Virus. Agdia tests can be used only for the specific viruses they are designed for. The proper management policy is that if a plant looks virused, throw it away. If it has no symptoms, test it. There are too many viruses to test, and if there are symptoms, there is no need to go further.

Thanks, gang. Agdia test strips on their way. Isolated. Never've tolerated virused plants. Will provide update this week.

 

[Stone]

I don't think it's a virus. I had similar issues with a majority of my plants this year and last year for some unknown reason. I have never seen it before. All the thin leaved plants were affected and even some of the more succulent ones. Worst affected were dendrochilums (I actually lost a few) but many others had a similar problem. I sprayed with various fungicides weekly and it is clearing up now. If new leaves are perfectly clean and remain so, it is unlikely to be a virus. Keep in mind that if it happened suddenly, mites could also be involved so I suggest spraying with a pest oil (whether you see them or not) between fungicide applications.

 

[Walter Meshaka]

Thanks. Interesting. Happened quickly.