New Cymbidium aquisitions - health check please!

[LexyBoy]

Hello!

I've had my eye on some Cyms at Homebase for a while as they were clearly overdue to be marked down. Popped in today and found them sitting on a trolley, reduced to £5 (from £20) - I think they were waiting for the very last flower to drop!

I bought two (actually the money went in the charity box as the supervisor couldn't think of a quick way to run it though the till, which was unexpectedly nice for a big chain) and am pretty pleased as they're nice big clumps. I'd appreciate some advice on one though which has subtle mottling on the leaves and spotting on the older ones - I wasn't worried about the spots in the shop but didn't notice the mottling until it was home. My first thought was virus but it doesn't look like virus from photos I've seen - any thoughts? Secondly, is virus worth worrying about for a hobby grower with less than a dozen plants?

Bear in mind that they have been in the shop for a couple of months, in cellophane sleeves and chronically overwatered. I've increased the contrast in the pics to make it more visible - as I said it is subtle but noticeable in good light.

[rbarata]

No photos...

[LexyBoy]

Sorry, was trying to add them when I realised my mistake but struggling with file sizes and OB is very slow!

Here's some links:
Full plants
Mottled leaf - this is my main concern as it doesn't look like obvious damage or cultural issues to me (as a noob)
Older spotted leaf

[Cym Ladye]

The first leaf looks normal. On the second photo, are all the older leaves speckled like that or only the one? Does it go through to the other side?

If it is on all older leaves and on both sides, it might be signs of fleck virus, which is extremely contagious and the plant should be tossed. Chances are it is not but just a warning. I see no obvious signs in either photo of CymMV/ORSV virus.

If you keep virused plants in a collection, hobby at any level, they will contaminate other "clean plants" you obtain if not put in a separate area with all sanitary precautions taken when handling, dividing, cutting spikes. Additionally, they will continue to show heavier signs and go down hill over time. Is it worth it? Never in my opinion.

[LexyBoy]

Thanks CL for taking the time and your knowledge!

The spots are on most of the old leaves, but not the very oldest, yellowing, leaves, which are either clear or only lightly spotted. There are spots on both sides - more on the bottom - but they don't go through the leaf.

I've attached a pic of the most mottled leaf (which was broken near the base, don't know if that makes a difference) with backlighting to show the effect.

Will keep it isolated outdoors for the time being. I think partly I'm being a bit paranoid as the two plants have been under identical conditions, but of course they are different hybrids so no reason they should look identical. There were a couple looking really sick from waterlogging whilst the two I picked up seem fine, for example.

[Cym Ladye]

I suspect you will find if you could look at the roots that you may find a problem. As soon as the weather warms up, I would repot them both in fresh mix with a trimming off of any rotten roots. Meanwhile keep them a little on the dry side.

This leaf does not have a typical virus pattern but looks more like a nutrient deficiency. If you have a balanced 13-13-13 or equivalent, slow release fertilizer, apply 1 teaspoon to the top of each plant. Whenever you water, a little fertilizer will be released. There are more complicated solutions, but his would be sure the plants would be getting something.

As you said, these plants have lived in a sleeve for several months in a shop, and I suspect in low light. See what happens in the next few months, repot when permitted, and keep outside for the summer.

[LexyBoy]

I've already repotted them - one had fairly extensive rot but still good roots around the edges, the other not so bad but quite a job to untangle so I could remove the squishy parts. a third I bought had quite a lot of leaves rotten off at the base but the roots were perfect.

Nice to have some reassurance - the more I look the more I think the dark spots look the same as those on my only other Cym, which I'm not worried about.

[Cym Ladye]

Hopefully, you removed any roots on the bulbs with no leaves as they will die quickly. It is always best,even if they look good, not to leave a lot of dangling broken roots when you repot as they just take up pot space, hold water when they die and leave no room for new root growth. I always cut off at least 1/3 of the root ball when I divide and or repot. Much easier to then clean up what is left.