Laelia Tenevrosa strange leaf colour - problem?

[marcoeverard]

Just wondering if anyone can tell me what is going on with this Laelia Tenebrosas leaf. It is red and yellow on the new leaf not at all like the older green ones. None of the other Cattleyas have this - is it a problem? It is by the window but doesnt get a lot of direct sun.

[daddydoall]

That would be cool if it were a somatic mutation (red-variegation), and not a virus. If it is growing and not soft / rotten (bacteria can have red pigments) let it grow out!

[marcoeverard]

It isn't soft - it was on the newest growth that otherwise looks healthy.

[Ray]

I speculate (and that's all it is) that it's viral, although I must admit I've not seen that before.

To be safe, keep it apart from other plants so that there is no possibility of water splashing to them.

[marcoeverard]

Ok I will move t. Though it has been right next to other cattleyas with this discoloration for about ayear with no sign of it infecting the others.

[silken]

I was hoping someone else would weigh in. I sure don't like the looks of it. Can you do a virus test? Of course there is more than 1 virus out there. Or just find a new one to replace it? The leaf beside it has traces of the same thing, but not nearly so exaggerated.

[daddydoall]

Some red blooming Cats have "red factor" coloration in leaves which fades as leaves mature. Please post follow up.

[silken]

I agree that some red and spotted Catts do have red, but I have only seen it as purple spots, not this extreme streaking.

But on the other hand, I tested a number of my orchids recently for CMV and ORSV virus. It's costly so I only did ones with some spotting or weird marks on leaves and some non-bloomers etc. Surprisingly, the ones that tested positive often had pristine leaves and the spotted marked up leafs were negative. So who knows. And there are other viruses to test for also, but those two seem most common and bad in Cattleyas

[marcoeverard]

Ok I will quarantine it (not paying for a test) and see what happens. I will give an update in another few months.

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by silken

I was hoping someone else would weigh in. I sure don't like the looks of it. Can you do a virus test? Of course there is more than 1 virus out there. Or just find a new one to replace it? The leaf beside it has traces of the same thing, but not nearly so exaggerated.

I agree with Silken, i also think it has all the signs of a virus. I understand that it is too costly to do a test, so if the markings stay or get any worse maybe you could replace it with a new one, just to be safe! Good luck!