could it be just sunburn? Keep it separate and watch it. As long as leaves are not pitted, you can watch before any treatment.

The only way to know for sure is to have it tested. I believe Critter Creek Lab is still around. There may be other places that some members here can suggest.

I could be wrong but I don't think Critter Creek does fungal testing. I think are exclusive to viral testing. Feel free to correct me on this.
I would just watch the plant and make sure that whatever it is does not spread or start to show pitting. Also it would not be a bad idea to isolate it until you know that there is not an active problem. If the damage is from a previous mite or fungal infection those marks are permanent.

I think the plant will be just fine. It however looks like it needs more watering. I water mine every day and you should too if you are not. In warm weather you might even do it twice a day. You can't give a bare root vanda too much water.

Thanks for all your help! I think I'll just end up mounting this puppy on a tree away from all the other orchids...our place is so wet that even if treated with fungicide it would come right back anyway.

You're right Green, Critter Creek does virus testing. I didn't make it clear but I was suggesting a virus test, just in case. Once you find out it's not viral, you can use Physan since it's suppose to help with both fungal and bacterial attacks.

Pls show us this vanda again when the 1st bud opens!

Hi all, I strapped this vanda to my Manila Palm and try to mist it daily, when I remember anyway ;-) The flowers are ready to bloom soon, so I'll post photos here when it does. Thanks!

Hard to tell without a closer look of the leaves. It doesn't look like fungus. Possibly spider mite damage. But when necrosis forms streaks, it can be a sign of virus. You can have the plant tested. There are labs like Critter Creek, and there are home testing kits available.

The attached link from the St. Augustine Orchid Society has some good info and photos.

To me it looks fungal, but it is almost impossible to tell just by looking at it. The reason I lean to fungal is that it looks like it is worse on the older leaves and gets better as you get closer to new growth. Viruses are more concentrated where the plant is activly growing, in the flowers and new growth.

Here is a link that might be useful: orchid diseases

James, that's good to know! I always get so nervous when I see those black markings on the leaves. Even though I had mine tested and the results came back "virus-free," I look at those black marks and still feel uneasy. Knowing that viruses concentrate in new growths make me feel a lot better (because my new growths are clean).

By request, here's a picture of the giant vanda in bloom. The flowers are really "interesting" with yellow and red splotches with a purple back-side. The plant itself looks even more pathetic due to my having rubbed cinnamon all over it. I thought twice about spraying it with a fungicide.

another shot

another nice shot, too bad I can't rotate it

the plant, looking very ugly

Just found out from another orchid forum that this plant is not a vanda but a Vandopsis Lissochiloides; quite unusual and rare in larger sizes. I also read this orchid comes from very old gardens. Not sure of the age of this thing, but I know its pretty darned old.

Just found out from another orchid forum that this plant is not a vanda but a Vandopsis Lissochiloides; quite unusual and rare in larger sizes. I also read this orchid comes from very old gardens. Not sure of the age of this thing, but I know its pretty darned old.