First CymMV positive

[Dalachin]

I've been testing new plants and working my way through testing existing plants. Fortunately all neg so far, but and I had my first positive on a Cattleya that I received yesterday. So sad, it is a huge plant and in bloom. But the line on the test is quite firm.

[tmoney]

well thankfully it seems most of your plants are v-free! but, meh, just keep it in a different room from your healthy ones and i would imagine you get many more years of enjoyment before any virus becomes an issue for the plant.

then again, maybe not!! hahahah, but really, are you gonna throw the plant away? could you in good concsiousness give the plant to a friend?

have you contacted the vendor? it would be cool if you fill us in on the communications if you have, just to see what a response from them would be and what action, if any is taken. of course, we wouldn't need to know the specific vendor....anyways, just some thought!!! sorry to hear about the plant

[Dalachin]

The seller responded immediately and apologized and offered an exchange plant (not a cattleya!)

I can't keep it... I live the northeast of the US so I have to grow Cattleyas inside under lights most of the year and they are all in close proximity, which is why I started testing. I couldn't give it to another orchid enthusiast. I guess I could put it on the curb on a sunny day with a sign- "Free Rescue Orchid-- I am virused." I'm not even sure that is very responsible, but I suppose someone with a sunny window and no other orchids might enjoy it.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Dalachin

The seller responded immediately and apologized and offered an exchange plant (not a cattleya!)

I can't keep it... I live the northeast of the US so I have to grow Cattleyas inside under lights most of the year and they are all in close proximity, which is why I started testing. I couldn't give it to another orchid enthusiast. I guess I could put it on the curb on a sunny day with a sign- "Free Rescue Orchid-- I am virused." I'm not even sure that is very responsible, but I suppose someone with a sunny window and no other orchids might enjoy it.

The last seems like a good option... you're disclosing the issue, the recipient (if any) can decide what to do based on the information. Either someone with no other orchids, or someone who has the space to keep one isolated might be willing to adopt it. If it is an old, or otherwise interesting grex some people do grow legacy Catts that are known to be virused, (Sometimes plants are robust and don't have color break in flowers or otherwise show the problem except in a test)

[Jmoney]

that's unfortunate. as a fellow virus tester, I always have a moment of trepidation with every virus strip as the reagent advances...

what cattleya is it? some choose to grow cymmv+ cultivars, usually separate from the "clean" plants. there are a number of the "heritage" cattleyas that are known to be virused (i.e. no clean divisions exist)...

[estación seca]

It is likely at some point in the future we will learn to remove virus infection from orchids. I think it would be a catastrophe if all clones of old, beautiful cultivars were to be discarded, especially if they only show virus infection on testing.

[Dalachin]

It’s a species, cattleya intermedia. I think another member of my local orchid society is going to give it a home.

[Leafmite]

Great news that you found another home for it.