Question
Hi Jim, I bought some Cymbidium seedlings 3 months ago. (68mm pots) About 2-3 weeks afterwards I found one of them developed some black motted spots on a couple of leaves. This didn't spread to the whole plant, but then some yellowish spots developed on the younger leaves and the "stem". This problem has now been found on all seedlings I bought from this supplier. Some other plants showed yellowish stripes rather than spots. (Although not too obvious.) The roots are growing and look healthy to me. I'm so worried it might be virus, as there's no cure for virus disease, right? Any information will help. Thanks very much, Victoria

Answer
Hi Victoria,

The black mottled spots may or may not be of concern, keep an eye on them to see if the grow larger and if they do that could mean an infection of some sort - either fungus or bacteria.  Yellow spots may possibly be due to sudden exposure to brighter sunlight, especially if the spots are on top of the leafs where they bend over indicating the start of sunburn in which case they may turn brown or black with continued over exposure.  Yellow streaks in the leafs could be an indication of a mineral deficiency such as magnesium, iron, and a couple of other lesser minerals.  

If all of the seedlings are exhibiting the spots and streaks, I would definitely call the supplier and discuss it with them.  It is one thing to have it happen to one plant but for it to appear on all of them could be an indication of a problem at the growers nursery.  

You are right that virus in plants is not curable.  It also can spread from plant to plant via leaf contact but the main transmission method is by using unsterilized cutters, going from plant to plant and infecting each along the way.  

Hope this helped.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.