Need experienced opinion asap - not familiar with the disease/fungus on my Cattleya

[bethmarie]

Just noticed this on some of the leaves of a Cattleya I brought home from the greenhouse a couple weeks ago.

I'd intended to sell a piece of it, but I need to know what I'm dealing with before I consider that.

Thanks, all

[Orchid Whisperer]

I occasionally see something that looks like that on older Cattleya leaves. Typically on water-stressed (dehydrated) plants that later experience a prolonged period of wet weather. It is ugly, but does not seem to cause the plant to be unhealthy. Plants grow, bloom normally. If it is similar to the problem that I see, nothing seems to remove the spots from the leaves.

I think it is fungal. To prevent spread, keep the leaves clean, maintain the plants in a healthy state with good roots and adequate water, provide supplemental calcium and magnesium, and use a fungicide if needed.

[PaphMadMan]

I'm not sure this is a disease at all. I associate this look with plants that have been stressed by dehydration and/or cold. This plant definitely looks like it has been dehydrated at least. Leaves with this type of damage might be prone to fungal problems, but unless you see it spreading when the plant is under good care I don't think you'll have a problem going forward. It would be normal for these damaged leaves to die off sooner than a healthy leaf would.

[bil]

One thing, don't break the Catt into pieces that are too small, or they will be a long time in flowering. Plus, bigger plants give proportionally more flowers.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by bil

One thing, don't break the Catt into pieces that are too small, or they will be a long time in flowering. Plus, bigger plants give proportionally more flowers.

I agree. Any Cattleya division with less than 4 healthy pseudobulbs and a decent root system will be set back quite a bit. I can't tell from your photo how many pseudobulbs you have, but if it is less than 8, or if it is stressed or does not have good roots, I would wait.

[bethmarie]

I have seen my share of dehydrated plants, but hadn't seen this before. You've eased my mind and educated me. Sincere thanks for the replies.

[POLKA]

Okay. I don't see anything resembling dehydration, but I see signs that it could have had some more magnesium in its diet. Check your fertilizer labels, and make sure it is there. If not, add a teaspoon of epsom salts per gallon water once a month when growing, and all subsequent growths will be a more even color. It might even help the older leaves to appear less mottled.

Take care
Rex
aka POLKA