First cattleya, gorgeous, but try to look closer..

[vegan]

Hi..
This is my first cattleya.
Bloom about 4 days ago. Does anyone know her name?
It look gorgeous.




But if you come closer, i think there are some problem.
The petal is drying..






And there are many dry scratch on the flower



Are these normal? Are there something I can do?

[orchids4me]

Did you look for bugs? I mean look for tiny bugs. It looks like damage made by thrips. It my have been while still in bud where ever it came from but really look for any tiny bugs.

[vegan]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

Did you look for bugs? I mean look for tiny bugs. It looks like damage made by thrips. It my have been while still in bud where ever it came from but really look for any tiny bugs.

I dont find any bugs..
Do we can see the tiny bug with bare eyes?

[kmarch]

It looks like thrip damage. They are very small and nearly impossible to see as they hide in folds and crevices in the flower. You will most likely need a systemic of some sort to get rid of them.

Your cattleya is a hybrid and all of the things said in your other thread about identifying hybrids applies here too.

[vegan]

Originally Posted by kmarch

It looks like thrip damage. They are very small and nearly impossible to see as they hide in folds and crevices in the flower. You will most likely need a systemic of some sort to get rid of them.

Your cattleya is a hybrid and all of the things said in your other thread about identifying hybrids applies here too.

Thrips? Looks like it happened to my other orchid too...
What to do to remove them? Should I spray them with insecticide?

[orchids4me]

You will need to get a sestemic like Kmarch said and spray them. The product you get shoud say it kills thrips along with what ever else it eliminates listed on its label.

I can't help with what products your country carries a good nursery in your area should carry these type of products to use for thrips.
You may have to spray your whole collection so make sure you take that into factors on how much you will need and how many applications required to get rid of them.
Good luck!!

[plucker]

Just to explain something for you, a systemic insecticide is one that the plant absorbs and becomes poisonous for a short time for everything that eats it.

If they are thrips, then it is too late for the flowers, but you can remove them now and with proper management, the flowers will be better next time.

On the other hand, if the orchid has not extablished itself and it flowers, then it may only last that long initially. My recently repotted ones dont have much shelf life if they flower soon after. First sign that the flowers are ready to drop looks just like your second photo where the veins in the flower are really pronounced. The smell has also gone if it is scented.

[Nugget]

Sorry to suggest this but I saved the 1st pic and enlarged it. In my humble opinion after viewing it, this Catt is full of Virus. You can make out in the leaves the tell-tale signs as well.

[vegan]

Originally Posted by orchids4me

You will need to get a sestemic like Kmarch said and spray them. The product you get shoud say it kills thrips along with what ever else it eliminates listed on its label.

I can't help with what products your country carries a good nursery in your area should carry these type of products to use for thrips.
You may have to spray your whole collection so make sure you take that into factors on how much you will need and how many applications required to get rid of them.
Good luck!!

Thanks... I think in my country, people dont know about this...

Originally Posted by plucker

Just to explain something for you, a systemic insecticide is one that the plant absorbs and becomes poisonous for a short time for everything that eats it.

If they are thrips, then it is too late for the flowers, but you can remove them now and with proper management, the flowers will be better next time.

On the other hand, if the orchid has not extablished itself and it flowers, then it may only last that long initially. My recently repotted ones dont have much shelf life if they flower soon after. First sign that the flowers are ready to drop looks just like your second photo where the veins in the flower are really pronounced. The smell has also gone if it is scented.

You maybe right.. It have been out of the pot when bloom started..
The pot fell from about 2 meters.. My maid did it..

Originally Posted by Nugget

Sorry to suggest this but I saved the 1st pic and enlarged it. In my humble opinion after viewing it, this Catt is full of Virus. You can make out in the leaves the tell-tale signs as well.

Full of viruses? What is tell tale means?

[plucker]

Virus is impossible to tell by looking at the plant alone. It is normally characterised by color break in flowers, but not always.
Orchids can be virused and not show any signs. Sometimes the leaves will have certain marks etc.

The only true way to tell is using virus test kits which can cost as much as an orchid.

[Nugget]

This plant has color breaks in the flowers and deformities in the leaves common to a virus infection.
Yes, a plant can have virus and not show it, VERY rare for a Cattleya though. I would have this plant tested to be sure BUT given the potential for other plants to be infected I would throw the plant out and get another one.

[Leafmite]

I've read that color break can be due to insects and, on occasion, other non-virus causes. I would definitely keep this orchid away from the others, treat for thripes, and take precautions to avoid spreading any potential virus. The next bloom will be a good determination. Being a plant-lover, I hate the idea of tossing a plant without being certain there is good reason. I have one alone upstairs because the last blooming wasn't up to par. As other factors could have been involved, I would be completely surprised if the next blooming is also faulty. I always seperate anything even slightly suspicious.
Leafmite

[vegan]

Thanks all... I think will follow suggestion from Leafmite..
In the other hand, i never heard orchid tested for virus in my country...
Yeah... I am in third world country..