The first thing that come in mind with a color break like you are describing is virus. On the other hand, the mass produced Phals are not likely to have virus. Do you have a picture you can post?

Here are pictures. The center leaf is new growth. The white spots on the leaves is just mineral residue.

[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/lwowk/P1010170.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa111/lwowk/P1010178.jpg[/IMG]

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If this is a special plant that you wanted to keep, I would have it tested. Otherwise toss it and get another.

Visual virus testing is highly unreliable, but it seems highly suspicious to me.

how exactly is virus transmitted to other plants? I'm a bit alarmed because this one has been in with all my other orchids I moved it for the photo. When I first got it I had it separated from the others for a while and sprayed it for bugs, and fungus etc. But after the first few weeks I figured it was safe to put it in with the others. I have no problem tossing this one but I have a number that I would hate to have to toss out....

Not sure why the first blooms were solid purple, but it sure looks like a painted (harlequin relative) phal to me. I've actually seen plants exactly like this for sale.

At any rate, if it's healthy otherwise, I'd just enjoy the blooms but keep it separated from other orchids.

Sharon

Hmmm...I just did a search online for the painted harlequin phals and did find a few that look very similar to mine. Maybe I got the plant mixed up with another? Well I guess I will keep it separated for now and wait and see what happens.

I agree with sdahl - there are many orchid hybrids with this type patterning on the petals.

Brooke

I wouldn't call this hybrid a "harlequin" type phalie. Harlequins are all together different with more "panda" type spotting. The white streaks are suspect. It maybe clonal mutation. That happens a lot with cheap clones. Usual color break virus, there will be areas of light AND DARK streaks in the petals. The leaves in Tobacco Mosaic or Ringspot viruses usually do manifest some leaf necrosis or streaking or yellowish patterns which become necrotic. But don't believe that any plant you buy from a nursery let alone a big box shop isn't virused. Virus can easily be spread by unsterilized cutting tools. Unsterilized pots (re-used) or insect vectors like slugs or snails, even mice. But humans are the biggest vector in transmitting the disease from one plant to another. When I cut my plant for any reason, I heat sterilize my shears with a propane torch for a a minute till it gets red hot. The heat from the tool will help cauterize the cut. OR use a single edge razor blade and then toss it away when through. You can reuse it if you again heat sterilize it with a blow torch. Dipping it in peroxide will do nothing. Clorox solution will work, as well as Physan solution. But it is very caustic to metal and if you are using good shears, it will rust it very quickly. Beware of people who say mericlones are virus free. They may not be. Cloning does not rid the plant of virus (the old days, there was thought that meristem cloning could remove virus if done correctly. It hasn't happend for orchids. Has helped free potatoes from mozaic virus.) Seed grown plants are usually virus free. But again, even at a relatively clean nursery, plants can become virused by neglectful growers. Buy from good sources. Carter & Holmes sells guaranteed virus free plants. Many other top nurseries do too. They routinely laboratory assay their plants for virus.

I just came across photos of this plant when it was previously in bloom. The flowers were definitely solid at the time. I bought this NOID plant at Costco. Given the amount of streaking in the flowers I am inclined to think it may be virused and will just chuck the plant. I have not repotted this plant and not had a need to cut into it at all, and so the virus may not have had a way to spread so I am hoping that my other plants are safe. Can fungus gnats or fruit flies spread the virus? Do they actually eat the plant or just nest in the bark?

What is clonal mutation and would it cause solid colored flowers to change like this? Is there a chance at all that this plant may not be virused? I have it separated from the rest at this time maybe I will have it tested just for my peace of mind...

Larissa

No virus -- I take it you do not know the parentage -- the early harlequin paint brush phals you never knew what you were gonna get -- temperature at the time the buds were at a stage controlled the flower color-- I had one that was wonderful on the first bloom in early spring and then solid or almost so the next time - this reminds me of it -- the second blooms obviously came from the buds formed in your cool house -- everyone went around and said a virus - like the tulip virus did this -- no -- it was a genetic mutantation caused by overcloning -- to much from one whatever-- the color breaks were more pronounced --but temperatures had an effect on if they showed or not.

Like it --- keep it -- otherwise pass it on. I think they are now trying to produce more of a air brush effect -- you might have one of that generation