Phalaenopsis Experiment

[Cintirella]

oH Please, keep us posted ! I'll be following

[james mickelso]

I love experiments. Viruses? They were all from the same vendor so if one has virus they all do. And virus in phals is the least of the problems. Bacterial, fungal, and mold problems along with root rot will kill them much faster. But the chances of success far outweigh those concerns. I have phals that are virused and they still produce nice flowers and grow ok. Then of course most of my collection has issues but still produce nice flowers for the most part. Here's a seriously virused Lc Issy which has flowered today. Started to open yesterday. I've fought this fight for a couple years and I'm slowly gaining on the virus every year. In years past this wouldn't even finish a pbulb before withering away. Now about half the spikes wither but some actually produce flowers although not of the best quality. So experiment. See what works. And enjoy them. If all you want are flowers, go to a florist and buy them. If you want to grow orchids, then grow orchids. And enjoy the fruits of your labors (applause). Here are a couple pics (oh no not more pics (- The first are a couple pics of the flowers still opening. The second set is the spotted leaf which is the virus and the next set is of what the leaves looked like a couple years ago. The last few are phals that are surely virused but still produce nice flowers.

[butterfly_muse]

It's probably just because I'm a newbie but I don't see anything wrong with that light pink phal?? How can you tell it's virused?

[james mickelso]

That's the point. Not all viruses show in physical damage or deformed/discolored flowers. I know this is virused because they came to me from a grower who tested them. Look back a few months at the argument....er...discussion we had about buying phals at big lot stores vs reputable orchid nurseries. My opinion is that there is nothing wrong with rescues as long as you aren't growing expensive orchids or growing for sale. Most of my collection....er....menagerie consists of rescues so I don't have the same guidelines as some of the other collectors on this board. I know Bud has a gorgeous collection and I think makes sure his orchids are virus free as well as NYOrchidman. And some of the others here. And I agree with them. But for the most part virused orchids aren't a big problem. They still produce good flowers and are worth our efforts. Viruses normally show up in the flowers as discolored and deformed flowers. If you spend more than $25 on an orchid, buy from a reputable dealer who will replace any diseased plant or refund your money. And don't put any rescues with those you buy. But if you have a hodgepodge collection like I do then no big deal. Enjoy growing orchids and experiment with them. Try new ideas at growing them.

[butterfly_muse]

Lol, mine are basically a modge podge of orchids that I have seen here and there or been given. I'm still learning. How do viruses hurt them? How do you treat them? Are they like humans where they hurt the plant by making it sick and not able to function at full capacity?

[james mickelso]

Viruses are here to stay. No cure for them. They mostly cause deformation/discoloration of the flowers on most orchids. Some cause deformation of the leaves. Some eventually kill the plant. Care in what you get for your collection must be exercised if your collection is valuable in either cost or if you have a collection you show.

[butterfly_muse]

So if one of your orchids gets it does that mean all of them will?

[escualida]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

I love experiments. Viruses? They were all from the same vendor so if one has virus they all do. And virus in phals is the least of the problems. Bacterial, fungal, and mold problems along with root rot will kill them much faster. But the chances of success far outweigh those concerns. I have phals that are virused and they still produce nice flowers and grow ok. Then of course most of my collection has issues but still produce nice flowers for the most part. Here's a seriously virused Lc Issy which has flowered today. Started to open yesterday. I've fought this fight for a couple years and I'm slowly gaining on the virus every year. In years past this wouldn't even finish a pbulb before withering away. Now about half the spikes wither but some actually produce flowers although not of the best quality. So experiment. See what works. And enjoy them. If all you want are flowers, go to a florist and buy them. If you want to grow orchids, then grow orchids. And enjoy the fruits of your labors (applause). Here are a couple pics (oh no not more pics (- The first are a couple pics of the flowers still opening. The second set is the spotted leaf which is the virus and the next set is of what the leaves looked like a couple years ago. The last few are phals that are surely virused but still produce nice flowers.

I understand what you're saying but your pictures kind of prove my point, wouldn't you want to prevent your orchids getting something like this if you could? All I said was that you should sterilize the cutting tools, I don't see how that could be a controversial argument at all. Especially when it's something that is extremely easy to do.

[butterfly_muse]

Random question: are they only passed orchid to orchid by contamination via a cut or open wound or tool? (like non-sterile scissors used on, say, 3-4 plants)? I always rub my scissors down with alcohol before I do anything at all with any of my plants, but now I'm all paranoid that they'll spread viruses just by hanging out around each other or something, lol. I know nothing about this stuff.

[Nanook 2010]

Here's what I used to sterilize .........

Cheers!

Enjoying life!