diseased Cattleya - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 08-06-2010, 06:34 PM

Hello,
Does my plant look virused and if so, what do you suggest I do? If not, what do you think the problem is and how should I treat it?

I would appreciate your advice,
Vicki

Eyebabe · #2 08-06-2010, 06:53 PM

This is not necessarily virus by any means.
It could represent too much sunlight or nutritional issues with the plant.
It could be damage from water sitting on the plant or even depigmentation from a pesticide spray.
Your plant looks very healthy as well.
If I am concerned about virus I will test the plant for my own peace of mind.

VickiC · #3 08-06-2010, 08:56 PM

Thank you very much for your reply and advice!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

This is not necessarily virus by any means.
It could represent too much sunlight or nutritional issues with the plant.
It could be damage from water sitting on the plant or even depigmentation from a pesticide spray.
Your plant looks very healthy as well.
If I am concerned about virus I will test the plant for my own peace of mind.

DebsC · #4 08-07-2010, 12:06 AM

Hi Vicki,
I agree, your orchid looks healthy. There are many reasons a cattleya leaf may not look perfect but it doesn't affect the health of the plant.

After testing many catts this spring, one thing I learned is, you might suspect virus but you'll never know for sure if you don't test it.

Some plants look really rough and test clean and others look pristine but have a virus. In other words, looks can be deceiving.

Happy Growing!

VickiC · #5 08-07-2010, 12:55 AM

Hi Debs,
This is the reason I didn't reply to your e-mail today.....I was too busy panicing about my Catt.

If a virused plant can look pristine, how would someone know to even suspect a virus? Scary!

Thanks for the tips!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebsC

Hi Vicki,
I agree, your orchid looks healthy. There are many reasons a cattleya leaf may not look perfect but it doesn't affect the health of the plant.

After testing many catts this spring, one thing I learned is, you might suspect virus but you'll never know for sure if you don't test it.

Some plants look really rough and test clean and others look pristine but have a virus. In other words, looks can be deceiving.

Happy Growing!

DebsC · #6 08-07-2010, 01:42 AM

Vicki, you might have a plant in your collection forever and never suspect it was virused. The leaves and flowers could look perfectly normal.

I gather it is stress on the plant that can bring on symptoms, insect infestation, bacterial infection, heat and I would imagine many other factors come in to play here.

Some of the old corsage catts are still blooming flawlessly but many have virus, they just don't show it.

Eyebabe · #7 08-07-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebsC

Vicki, you might have a plant in your collection forever and never suspect it was virused. The leaves and flowers could look perfectly normal.

I gather it is stress on the plant that can bring on symptoms, insect infestation, bacterial infection, heat and I would imagine many other factors come in to play here.

Some of the old corsage catts are still blooming flawlessly but many have virus, they just don't show it.

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

VickiC · #8 08-07-2010, 03:03 PM

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 sympoms 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

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebsC

Vicki, you might have a plant in your collection forever and never suspect it was virused. The leaves and flowers could look perfectly normal.

I gather it is stress on the plant that can bring on symptoms, insect infestation, bacterial infection, heat and I would imagine many other factors come in to play here.

Some of the old corsage catts are still blooming flawlessly but many have virus, they just don't show it.

VickiC · #9 08-07-2010, 03:16 PM

I really do appreciate you going into such detail! You have taught me things I didn't have a clue about, so thank you. I've read of CymMV and color break, but not much...I will more, though. A couple of other questions, please (I hope you don't mind!): If a healthy non-symptomatic orchid tests positive for a virus of some kind, would you discard it or continue to grow it as it is among the other plants? Could/Would it infect my other orchids near it if it is, indeed, virused?
Thanks for you help,
Vicki

Quote:

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

Bayard · #10 08-07-2010, 04:51 PM

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.