Virus in Cymbidiums - photos

[estación seca]

I stumbled across a site with excellent photos of virus-infected Cymbidiums:
Viruses: The Cymbidium Orchid Society of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia.)

I was looking for information about heat treatment of orchids to eliminate viruses.

[Roberta]

One word of caution... it is possible to have some of those markings (especially the dry black spots) in plants that AREN'T virused - there are other "insults" that can make similar markings. Pay attention to the pictures, but also to the advice to test suspicious plants, don't just toss them. (Some of those markings may indeed be on plants that tested positive, but since they can also occur on plants that test negative, not definitive for virus) It is well worth having a supply of test kits, just as one might have a supply of products to attack pests, not for constant use but to have handy when you need them. Like a first-aid kit. Or have the address of a lab to which samples can be sent. (Not available everywhere, but if there is significant agriculture in your area, there's probably a lab)

[DirtyCoconuts]

Okay, I am leading with I don’t know ANYTHING and my entire plant collection may be rife with sickness, BUT I see leaves that look like some of these all the time and the plant is fine.

I think growing indoors vs outdoors may be a factor but I have mostly ugly plants that are part of the rough and harsh environment we live in. I am sure this articles authors know what’s up BUT I am also cautioning outdoor growers to not throw away plants before you know


I have never done a virus test. I, again, don’t know anything.

---------- Post added at 01:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 AM ----------

Just saw Roberta’s post, as always, she is more articulate and more correct than I….


Listen to her

[Roberta]

A member of one of my orchid societies did an actual study of the "what does virus look like" issue. He assembled a collection of photos of flowers and of leaves - from virused and non-virused plants. He showed these to a number of very experienced growers, many of them AOS judges. Their success rate of identifying the virused plants and the non-virused plants was just about at the chance level - what you'd get by flipping a coin! Some will jump out at you and be obvious, but in most cases you just can't tell by looking. You have to test. No shortcut.

[rbarata]

Thanks for the info, ES.
All my Cymbs look like the leaves in those photos. I've never done a test but, I've been taking several precautions for several years as if they are virused.

[Roberta]

I have plenty of ugly Cym leaves... I have tested some that looked quite bad that were negative, and some that didn't look so bad but raised suspicions for other reasons that were positive... not many fortunately.

[SADE2020]

Originally Posted by rbarata

Thanks for the info, ES.
All my Cymbs look like the leaves in those photos. I've never done a test but, I've been taking several precautions for several years as if they are virused.

mine too...thanks to you rbarata, but I am expecting a flower boom 💣 in a few months...

Thanks, ES ..good article

[Diane56Victor]

I know Joshua, a very knowledgeable grower. He puts a lot of research into everything he writes about. He also is the editor of the Cymbidium Chatter.

[Leafmite]

Good information.