Is this orchid just infected with a virus?

[lauraeli]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

Would be quite expensive to send in samples to Critter Creek Labs since I live in Sweden.

I've contacted Agdia's European distributor, however. Thinking about getting some virus test kits. They're very expensive, but it might be worth saving myself from future headaches

The Phal. Formosa Rose is no more by the way. It started develop some veeeeeery suspicious looking spots on its newest leaf, so into the garbage it went. I would in other words like to retract my previous statement and recommend the OP to toss the suspicious looking Phal...

Your Formosa Rose was not just off-color; the flowers were also crinkled in spots which seems like a red flag to me.

[Jenn4a]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

Your Formosa Rose was not just off-color; the flowers were also crinkled in spots which seems like a red flag to me.

Crinkled? I didn't know that could point to virus

[RJSquirrel]

Japanese they call it "Hanafuke"/crinkled flower..eventually the crinkling will turn the flower almost transparent, a see thru flower..at 1st it was thought to be mechanical damage but further investigation showed virus that was making its presence known in the flowers and not the leaf.

'ORSV' is the cause of crinkled flower syndrome.

[Jenn4a]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

Japanese they call it "Hanafuke"/crinkled flower..eventually the crinkling will turn the flower almost transparent, a see thru flower..at 1st it was thought to be mechanical damage but further investigation showed virus that was making its presence known in the flowers and not the leaf.

'ORSV' is the cause of crinkled flower syndrome.

that's scary. I saw crinkled edges on my phal but I think it's from hitting the buds against the setup's sides.
They aren't translucent though, they're slightly brown.

Is this virus seen in other types, or mainly just Phals?

[Dub3]

ORSV is a virus that is very common in many orchids. I found it in a couple of my Cattleya.

RJSquirrel, do you have any photos of the crinkled bloom from a virus as opposed to the ruffled bloom that many orchids are hybirdized for?

[The Mutant]

Originally Posted by Dub3

Mutant,
Sorry about that I'm not accustom to addressing a international audience.

You have nothing to apologize for, it happens.

Originally Posted by lauraeli

Your Formosa Rose was not just off-color; the flowers were also crinkled in spots which seems like a red flag to me.

Now, with more knowledge under my belt, I would say that the flowers on my Formosa Rose where a textbook example of a Phal with ORSV. They were deformed, crinkled, had patches of warty texture, and severe colour breaks.

Luckily it seems ORSV doesn't spread via physical contact like CymMV does, and I did keep it isolated since I didn't trust it was healthy.

Originally Posted by Jenn4a

that's scary. I saw crinkled edges on my phal but I think it's from hitting the buds against the setup's sides.
They aren't translucent though, they're slightly brown.

Is this virus seen in other types, or mainly just Phals?

I'll upload pictures of my Formosa Rose. If the flowers look anything like this, toss it. They were never translucent by the way.

[lauraeli]

It is not just phals. Virus symptoms have similarities all across plant species. So even though I am new to orchids, with past knowledge of plants and specifically houseplants, the symptoms are still recognizable.

[Jenn4a]

Originally Posted by lauraeli

It is not just phals. Virus symptoms have similarities all across plant species. So even though I am new to orchids, with past knowledge of plants and specifically houseplants, the symptoms are still recognizable.

Good to know, thanks.
I've been reading that certain viruses, or even other illnesses, are usually seen in a couple of types of orchids while some viruses can affect a lot more.
Sorry about the confusing way that I wrote that.

I just know that all of the different illnesses and symptoms makes my head spin.

[lauraeli]

I dont know specific names of viruses or which plants are affected.. My knowledge of plant viruses is generalized, as opposed to specific. Since viruses in plants cannot be treated, I never took the time to learn the differences between them. Generally, virus = garbage. But I do keep sick plants sometimes, as long as they are doing well. I had a begonia with foliar nematodes last year. Also untreatable. Eventually plants succumb to such things. Though, for some reason, the impatiens (same pot, also infected) were resistant. By themselves, they showed no symptoms...It was very intriguing. But, I digress.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge can answer your question.

[The Mutant]

You can read about viruses and other orchid afflictions here: St. Augustine Orchid Society

You have some PDF. files at the bottom of the text that I really recommend.