| Newbies should not be overly worried about this thread. Viruses are controlled in commercial nurseies (usually by destroying infected plants). Viruses are not transmitted to seed grown plants from the parents but are inherited in cloned plants. A nursery with a virus problem does not clone the species its bad economics.
Especially do not be concerned about small black spots near the ends of Oncidium Alliance plants (vocabulary - alliance is used to indicate that the family of plants is roughly grouped with others as to care and growing characteristics, including intergenetics - intergenetics 2 or more families crossed)
The black spots are a common characteristic of the family and are harmless to the plant. They are usually called freckling.
Cattleya alliance are much more prone to mildew and bacterial fungus. Both are easily treated. If a large area, cut off the leaf. If a single plant, you can wipe with peroxide. Contact fungcides like Physan are not as effective as systemic treratments like Phytan27. Contact only kills what it touches and needs to hit both top and bottom of the leaf, systemics are absorbed into the plant and are effective longer.
These poisons are strong use gloves and wash after use.
__________________
jerry  |