Virused plant?

[Merlyn]

Two points, streaks on flowers are NOT always virused and use a 5x magnifying glass to see if you have mites.

Again, the ONLY way to find out if plants are virused is to TEST them. I have helped throw away 30 gallon garbage cans full of virused orchids and almost ALL of them were perfectly healthy looking. Also, in this virus adventure involving more than 2000 orchids, we have tested chids with horrible looking leaves that tested free of virus as well as ONE with color break blooms that was FREE of virus.

AGAIN, the lesson here is that YOU CAN'T EVER tell by looking !!!

[NYCorchidman]

Glen- such streaking is actually very common manifestation of virus infection. There are no insects of any kind here in the house. I had croton and some palm trees in the past that spider mites loved. I hate the damage done. so sad and ugly!

Camille- My ignorance...I meant CymMV and ORSV. Thank you for correction. I've heard about mass produced orchids mostly being virused. Well, they only care about money unfortunately and it is actually understandable. I meet some growers who make faces when I ask about their plants having ugly dark spots on the leaves. Their goal is to sell as many as possible again and again and make profit. and many people are not like me, who like to keep plants and watch them grow for years. They simply get the plants for flowers. Once the flowers are gone, or even before, the plants are tossed. I don't blame anyone, but it is definitely not ideal situation I'd say. I guess I'll just have to live with virused plants as long as they grow and flower fine.

[NYCorchidman]

Chryss- I can see those tiny mites with my naked eyes. They are not present.

I think I will have it tested, but I also heard that even the test results can be wrong. So this further complicates the issue for me. I heard that electron microscope can pick up lots of things but costly, although I have no idea how much it costs.
Then again, I'm not sure if I want to go through all that hassel just to satisfy my curiosity over a plant that I can replace easily if I wanted, though.
Virus....what a headache!

[camille1585]

Tests are rarely wrong, ELISA is the standard for virus testing. If you have a doubt, repeat the test. If you really want to be sure and have that little trust in tests, send samples to Critter Creek Labs, and pay to have them tested twice, and anyway they themselves won't be satisfied with inconclusive results, they retest. If you have such a fear of virus, I recommend testing your entire collection. If you test that 1 suspicious plant, you may still be keeping countless other virused orchids.

Electron miscroscopy is VERY expensive, I can tell you that much. We have several SEM at work that are mainly used and operated by the lab of virology, and I believe that they charge 300-400€ an hour, for a minimum of 3 hours.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Chryss- I can see those tiny mites with my naked eyes.

Alas, there was a time I could as well.
But those days are over for me

[NYCorchidman]

Camille- Thank you for the info. I will give a try at Critter Creek labs.

Eyebabe- Your post makes me laugh! thanks!