diseased Cattleya

[VickiC]

Thank you very much for the info! You and other members are so helpful to me.....I'm learning!
Vicki

Originally Posted by Bayard

I handle every plant as if it were virused. It is similar to universal precautions in healthcare.

Wash your hands before and after each plant contact, wear gloves when potentially contacting plant fluids, sterilize equipment and containers (flaming shears, 10% bleach solution on pots) before using on the next plant, or use a new razor blade on each and discard.

Viruses spread when the sap of one plant penetrates the living tissue of another. this includes roots, leaves and flowers!

For example, going from plant to plant and pinching off spent blooms can transmit virus to each subsequent plant, since the sap from the infected orchid is still on your fingers. Even plants rubbing against one another can transmit viruses.

I keep a record of which plants I've tested and screen new divisions and clones. Seed grown plants are less of an issue, especially those sown from dry seed.

[DebsC]

Originally Posted by VickiC

Well Debs, what would you do if you were me...have ALL my collection tested, just a few at a time whether they looks suspicious or not, only the ones that look suspicious or nothing at all? I don't know for positive how many orchids I have, but I'm guessing somewhere around 80 or so. ?? Paying for testing all at once wouldn't be a piece of cake, but if you think that would be best (since some plants don't even appear to be virused, but are), I would pay whatever it takes before I would take a chance of a virus spreading through my entire collection. Peace of mind is very important, you know. I'm clueless about all of this virus stuff, other than what you've told me, and the things I've learned from members here on OB. As you have obviously gathered from my thread, I really don't know what virused plants looks like, especially since the symptoms sometimes look different from one plant to another. Please correct me if I'm wrong about the things I said. By the way, how many of your orchids have you had tested? Any bad results? I hope not!
Thanks for your reply...you've taught me things I didn't know, and given me good food for thought' tips.
Thanks again,
Vicki

Vicki, the most important advice is exactly what Bayard said. Treat every single plant in your collection like it has a virus or as you want to be treated at the doctor's office.

Wash your hands and I also use sanitizer between plants. Don't touch plants any more than you have to
and don't crowd them in the greenhouse.

I grow many old cattleya and some of them have virus. They grow isolated on one side of the greenhouse. I won't throw them out as many could never be replaced.

I take as many precautions as possible to protect my 'clean' orchids and I enjoy them all.

Would I test each plant? Not unless you have loads of spare change! Just take precautions and enjoy each plant.

Study and learn all you can and test only plants that show definite signs of virus or toss the plant if it's not an expensive one or you can easily replace it.

Most importantly, enjoy your orchids, that's why we grow them!

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

This is absolutely true and why it is important to manage your collection in a "clean" fashion.
Typically, the old cattleya cultivars that are virused have CymMV which in many cases has minimal effect on the plants...this is not the case however for other genii.
ORSV or color break virus usually is much less benign and at least for a cattleya collector is why I test for virus.
These are the two viruses we CAN test for; there are close to 65 others we cannot test for....but as I have pointed out in other threads, this is not a good reason to refuse to test etc.
That is why I said IF I suspect virus, I test for it.
Your plant is NOT one I personally would be thinking needs a test at this time....just my

Vickie,
All I can tell you is how I like to do things.
I am fortunate that virus testing is not financially difficult for me.
About one year ago, I made the decision that I wanted to be more "serious" about my orchid purchases.
(Read as wanting to buy more expensive/historic/uncommon cattleyas)
That is when my research began in investigating "things that kill orchids" other than humans of course
I have an arsenal of stuff to kill just about anything that dare come near my plants! Bugs, fungi, bacteria...my chances are better than theirs

Then there are viruses:
In reading about viruses (and primarily in regard to the cattleya genus) I noted some pics of color break virus (ORSV). Well, some of my blooms looked like that previously
I flipped through old pics etc with a pit in my stomach.
Furthermore, I had several plants that just would not bloom etc.
Many of my collection were in fact NOIDS but they were the first love...and I wanted to keep them even if I was moving onto different habits.
But I was not willing to harbor the risk of virus if I were to adjust my collecting habits to more expensive/historic/unusual plants.

I tested them all over the course of a about a week...all 88 of them. I lost about 15.
I kept ONE plant which I already had that was expensive/historic/unusual: LC.EvaRobinson 'Ingram'
She is CymMV positive and I will not infect any other plants IF I handle her carefully.
CymMV is well tolerated in catts and usually does not cause a problem with blooms etc...but for sure, I am and continue to be selective at keeping ANY plant with ANY virus.
For ORSV, it is highly contagious and most people will not tolerate it in a collection, myself included....these went strait to the dumpster! It is destructive and ruins the blooms of a catt.
Although CymMV is well tolerated in catts, the plant is weaker and more susceptible to other infections and will grow/bloom less vigorously than it's non-virused counterpart. If you keep Cymbidiums instead of Catts, then you would worry more about this virus as it is more destructive for the cymbidiums.

So ultimately, it is a matter of cost, preference, and what it takes to give you peace of mind.

I will be the first to admit that virus testing a $10 plant is not really practical from a cost standpoint.
If my kitchen were full of 50 or so plants like this, I would not very likely spend 5-6 bucks a piece testing them.
At this point, I have as part of my "crap on hand" Agdia ELISA tests in my fridge to test any plant now coming into my collection.

More food for thought, if a viral infection is early, theoretically, the viral load in the plant may be too small to detect any virus and you can get a FALSE NEGATIVE test. So virus testing should be recorded for plants, and repeated periodically. False positives also occurs as well. Fortunately, neither of these happen with great frequency.
Some argue then why test? I have made my points regarding this in other forums.
Virus testing can be approached many different ways imo.
It is a commitment for me

[VickiC]

Hi again!
I am impressed and admire your dedication and desire to become more serious about your orchid selections. As I could see from viewing your gallery, you have very pretty ones.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such helpful info...and very indepth, as well. You have inspired me to try to be more selective about my purchases, also. Unfortunately, there are absolutely no orchid nurserys in our area (for many miles, in fact), so although I know that big-box stores do not sell quality orchids, it's not been easy for me to pass them up since we have nowhere else to choose from. I should say, though, I have gotten some pretty and healthy- seeming noids...but I'm learning more and more that they may be carrying hidden problems with them (creatures, diseased, and poss. virused), so your point is well taken. I try to buy from reputable online vendors, but I'm one of those "I want it and I want it NOW" kind of people. I know that's not a good trait, but orchids are certainly helping me overcome my character flaw (I have no choice) Patience, patience, patience. I need more of that.

After reading your replies, I am giving viruses and testing more thought than I have in the past. I also see the importance of keeping a 'clean' collection more than I did.

Thank you again for your help....good food for thought.
Vicki

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Vickie,
All I can tell you is how I like to do things.
I am fortunate that virus testing is not financially difficult for me.
About one year ago, I made the decision that I wanted to be more "serious" about my orchid purchases.
(Read as wanting to buy more expensive/historic/uncommon cattleyas)
That is when my research began in investigating "things that kill orchids" other than humans of course
I have an arsenal of stuff to kill just about anything that dare come near my plants! Bugs, fungi, bacteria...my chances are better than theirs

Then there are viruses:
In reading about viruses (and primarily in regard to the cattleya genus) I noted some pics of color break virus (ORSV). Well, some of my blooms looked like that previously
I flipped through old pics etc with a pit in my stomach.
Furthermore, I had several plants that just would not bloom etc.
Many of my collection were in fact NOIDS but they were the first love...and I wanted to keep them even if I was moving onto different habits.
But I was not willing to harbor the risk of virus if I were to adjust my collecting habits to more expensive/historic/unusual plants.

I tested them all over the course of a about a week...all 88 of them. I lost about 15.
I kept ONE plant which I already had that was expensive/historic/unusual: LC.EvaRobinson 'Ingram'
She is CymMV positive and I will not infect any other plants IF I handle her carefully.
CymMV is well tolerated in catts and usually does not cause a problem with blooms etc...but for sure, I am and continue to be selective at keeping ANY plant with ANY virus.
For ORSV, it is highly contagious and most people will not tolerate it in a collection, myself included....these went strait to the dumpster! It is destructive and ruins the blooms of a catt.
Although CymMV is well tolerated in catts, the plant is weaker and more susceptible to other infections and will grow/bloom less vigorously than it's non-virused counterpart. If you keep Cymbidiums instead of Catts, then you would worry more about this virus as it is more destructive for the cymbidiums.

So ultimately, it is a matter of cost, preference, and what it takes to give you peace of mind.

I will be the first to admit that virus testing a $10 plant is not really practical from a cost standpoint.
If my kitchen were full of 50 or so plants like this, I would not very likely spend 5-6 bucks a piece testing them.
At this point, I have as part of my "crap on hand" Agdia ELISA tests in my fridge to test any plant now coming into my collection.

More food for thought, if a viral infection is early, theoretically, the viral load in the plant may be too small to detect any virus and you can get a FALSE NEGATIVE test. So virus testing should be recorded for plants, and repeated periodically. False positives also occurs as well. Fortunately, neither of these happen with great frequency.
Some argue then why test? I have made my points regarding this in other forums.
Virus testing can be approached many different ways imo.
It is a commitment for me

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi again!
I am impressed and admire your dedication and desire to become more serious about your orchid selections. As I could see from viewing your gallery, you have very pretty ones.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such helpful info...and very indepth, as well. You have inspired me to try to be more selective about my purchases, also. Unfortunately, there are absolutely no orchid nurserys in our area (for many miles, in fact), so although I know that big-box stores do not sell quality orchids, it's not been easy for me to pass them up since we have nowhere else to choose from. I should say, though, I have gotten some pretty and healthy- seeming noids...but I'm learning more and more that they may be carrying hidden problems with them (creatures, diseased, and poss. virused), so your point is well taken. I try to buy from reputable online vendors, but I'm one of those "I want it and I want it NOW" kind of people. I know that's not a good trait, but orchids are certainly helping me overcome my character flaw (I have no choice) Patience, patience, patience. I need more of that.

After reading your replies, I am giving viruses and testing more thought than I have in the past. I also see the importance of keeping a 'clean' collection more than I did.

Thank you again for your help....good food for thought.
Vicki

Vicki,

Anytime <3
I will tell you that most of the plants I am interested in now are not the typical "in nursery" plants that you walk in and see around.
I get them by calling around or emailing orchid nurseries. Checking out websites is a great resource for me as well. Finally, I try to go to about 2-3 shows a year for which I have to travel about 2-4hrs.
I have encountered wonderful friendly people who are willing to help you find the plants you are interested in.
It also helps to read up about the plants and I am having great fun with all of it!
I found a new species of orchid just yesterday call an "Orchid Widower"; I briefly had dinner with him before I went to tend to my plants

[VickiC]

You are hilarious! Thanks for a good laugh!!

I'm happy to see that you are having a blast with your orchid hobby! I am, too...but on a much smaller scale than you, mainly because of my lack of orchid knowledge. If I called or e-mailed an orchid nursery at this point, they would get a bigtime laugh, also....but in a different way than I did when I read your comment about the species, "Orchid Widower". I don't know enough about the name of any orchid to even inquire about it...if it's available for purchase...much less carry on a conversation about orchids with a nursery or anyone who is more orchid savvy than me (which includes the vast majority of the population) without embarressing myself. I would have to go to a site that shows the picture and name of the orchid that I would like to have, write the name down...and go from there. Hopefully, no one from a nursery (or anyone, for that matter) would ask me questions...this is where the embarressment comes in. confused: ) I'm trying to read my books when I can, but get interrupted often by 'real life', so now my main concern is keeping my orchids alive, healthy...blooming is a fringe benefit now. 2 1/2 yrs. experience is very little, but I'm hoping to learn more as I move along with my new hobby. I also have another hobby...music...my first love, orchids running a very close 2nd. I have learned the majority of what I know from all of you on OrchidBoard, and I very much appreciate everyone's replies and advice!! I'm simply a sponge trying to soak up all that I can.

As for orchid shows, the nearest one to me meets about 50 mi. from here. It would be nice to have a travel companion who knows the ins and outs of a show (my 'Orchid Widower' certainly wouldn't quality). I have no doubt that I would learn a lot by being around orchid knowledgable people (I'm a ppl person, anyway). I should look into shows more, and I believe I will.

Once again, as you say you are, I am having great fun with my orchid hobby! When I get excited and tell my husband about something new that I've learned or want him to check out a spike, bud or orchid that has bloomed, he says something like..."telling me things like this is like me getting excited and trying to carry on a conversation with you about ham radios".

Thank you once more,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

Vicki,

Anytime <3
I will tell you that most of the plants I am interested in now are not the typical "in nursery" plants that you walk in and see around.
I get them by calling around or emailing orchid nurseries. Checking out websites is a great resource for me as well. Finally, I try to go to about 2-3 shows a year for which I have to travel about 2-4hrs.
I have encountered wonderful friendly people who are willing to help you find the plants you are interested in.
It also helps to read up about the plants and I am having great fun with all of it!
I found a new species of orchid just yesterday call an "Orchid Widower"; I briefly had dinner with him before I went to tend to my plants