VIRUS?!

[cowboy51278]

I picked this Cym up last May off the raffle table at our society. Nobody else wanted her cuz she is literally as big as a horse. She did well all summer, and after I came back from my week long cycling ride all her new growth had black streaking (only on the new growth). That was mid August. The lighting hadn't changed at all and she had been out since I brought her home. As soon as the black spotting was noticed she was moved into isolation (far end of the porch). Since then the spotting has increased, which at first looked like sunburn but now its begining to have some worrysome virus like patterns. The green leaves are also showing some bloching. Its a huge disappointment seeing as how there are now 5 flower buds popping up from this years growth. More than likely I'll flower her out upstairs with the african violets and toss her in the compost afterwards unless anyone can talk me out of the idea that its a virus.

[Sandy4453]

Without testing, you'll really never know but it does look like Cym. mosaic virus. It's good that you removed it from the clan.

If it's still contained or isolated to a few leaves, why wouldn't you try removing those leaves and treating the cuts and entire plant with systemic solution, before tossing it? It's a gorgeous plant, worth trying to save.

Please keep posting updates. I'm very curious to know if the buds will bloom without spotting.

Good luck!

[calvin_orchidL]

Based upon my highly uneducated guess, that last pic sure does look like cymbidium mosaic virus patterning, but I agree with Sandy that testing is the best way to go (it's around 6 bucks from critter creek labs). I sent in a batch of around 8 suspicious plants I had, and it turns out 2 of them were infected...unfortunate, but also surprising since I was nearly sure all 8 were infected.

At least in catts, color break in the petals is pretty much a sure way to diagnose - not sure about cyms though!

Just a note; I've heard that virused orchids should be incinerated (in an area FAAR away from your existing orchids of course!) rather than composted.