virus?

[VickiC]

Hi,
I bought this orchid at Lowes early this afternoon. The label reads: Trctn (Maureen x Haematochilum um) Red Mule Ear type (I may have typed this wrong because I haven't learned how to read labels correctly yet). When I got home and checked the foliage closer, I noticed small black spots on some of the leaves that I failed to notice at the store. I am not familiar with this orchid and have not had experience with viruses, so I'm skeptical. Is the foliage coloration normal for this plant, or are the specks something I should be concerned about? If it's a virus or anything you think might spread to my other orchids, I'm going to take it back to the store. I would appreciate it if you will let me know if this is a problem or not.
Vicki

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Trichocentrum = Trctm

Trichocentrum is an Onc relative. These are medium-small to miniature sized orchids. They don't produce a lot of flowers like the Oncidiums do, but they're pretty exotic. Often times certain species will come with spotted leaves, it's pigmentation.

Depending on your plant's parentage (I didn't know they were hybridizing Trctms, and am therefore clueless about Trctm hybrids), that spotting is natural.

[VickiC]

Thank you, King!
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Trichocentrum = Trctm

Trichocentrum is an Onc relative. These are medium-small to miniature sized orchids. They don't produce a lot of flowers like the Oncidiums do, but they're pretty exotic. Often times certain species will come with spotted leaves, it's pigmentation.

Depending on your plant's parentage (I didn't know they were hybridizing Trctms, and am therefore clueless about Trctm hybrids), that spotting is natural.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Trichocentrum x haematochilum (aka Onc x haematochilum, Lophiaris x haematochila)

Trctm x haematochilum is a natural hybrid between Trctm lanceanum and Trctm luridum.

Trctm 'Maureen' is a man-made hybrid between Trctm carthaganense and Trctm lanceanum.

Just looked it up.

[VickiC]

Oh my gosh...I don't think I could learn all of this in a lifetime.....all of these long and confusing words and what they mean! Until I came back from Lowe's, I didn't even know that the word Trichocentrum existed. Never heard of Trctm, either.

I think I should just stick to trying my best not to kill more orchids and keep hoping for blooms.

Thanks for taking time to look it up, King.
Vicki

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Trichocentrum x haematochilum (aka Onc x haematochilum, Lophiaris x haematochila)

Trctm x haematochilum is a natural hybrid between Trctm lanceanum and Trctm luridum.

Trctm 'Maureen' is a man-made hybrid between Trctm carthaganense and Trctm lanceanum.

Just looked it up.

[kiki-do]

Hi Vicki,
I also thank King for the identification of this one. I had no clue. But even though they can come spotted like that, I would still isolate this from the others. I just do that as a rule whenever a newbie comes home. Just to be safe.

[VickiC]

About how long would you isolate it, Kiki?

Originally Posted by kiki-do

Hi Vicki,
I also thank King for the identification of this one. I had no clue. But even though they can come spotted like that, I would still isolate this from the others. I just do that as a rule whenever a newbie comes home. Just to be safe.

[kiki-do]

I just keep it in another room for about three weeks.

[VickiC]

There's not another room in the house with as much light as I understand it needs, so I will take your advice and keep it off to itself on our backporch for awhile, rather than put it with the other chids in my orchid room.
Thanks again,
Vicki
P.S.--you may be getting tired of this, and if so, we're sorry...but I'm just relaying a message..."Grace says Hi!" (to anyone else who may be reading this and wondering....Grace is Maxillaria Variabillis 'Grace' that I rec'd from Kiki-do sometime back)

Originally Posted by kiki-do

I just keep it in another room for about three weeks.

[kiki-do]

Originally Posted by VickiC

There's not another room in the house with as much light as I understand it needs, so I will take your advice and keep it off to itself on our backporch for awhile, rather than put it with the other chids in my orchid room.
Thanks again,
Vicki
P.S.--you may be getting tired of this, and if so, we're sorry...but I'm just relaying a message..."Grace says Hi!" (to anyone else who may be reading this and wondering....Grace is Maxillaria Variabillis 'Grace' that I rec'd from Kiki-do sometime back)

Thanks Vicki!