First Cymbidium- Virus?

[Izzie]

THANK YOU everyone for your replies and input! I feel much more at ease now. I've been in the mountains (suckers!!! ) and only just got home. I'll answer asap.

[krystle]

izzie i know i am a little late but wow what a nice plant!! i am so jealous! where did you find this one! hope nothing is wrong with it!

[Eyebabe]

Izzie,
Virus tests are expensive.
You can order them from Agdia and for about $125 they will send you 25 test kits that are good for about one year....about $5 per test.
Unfortunately, they will not send smaller quantities.
This is a perfect situation where it is worth it to have a test available.
If you would not have use for 25 tests over the course of one year, I recommend making some friends at your local orchid society and going in together for an order of tests.
Your new absolutely gorgeous plant may have been a bargain at the supermarket and you may think spending another $5 to test it not quite reasonable.
But I look at it this way...the $5 is protection for the REST of your plants.
The tests are easy to run and the biggest tip for running the test is NOT to use too much specimen (read instructions!)
...after you at least test the plant, you can manage it from there with relative confidence. Too me, blooms on a worrisome plant are not as pleasurable.
The older leaves you showed are suspicious and I would test it.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by krystle

izzie i know i am a little late but wow what a nice plant!! i am so jealous! where did you find this one! hope nothing is wrong with it!

King soopers. They and Whole Foods get Cyms in this time of year. If you really want one, try and keep tabs on the stores and get them when they first come in. And check VERY carefully for pests and disease. I had to clean a bit of mold off of the blooms/spikes of this one where it was weeping sap. Sap is normal, mold is not, but not that big of a deal if you get it all off.


I've decided to send some samples to Critter Creek Labs for virus testing. Hopefully if I send today, it won't get too delayed with thanksgiving rushes.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

...after you at least test the plant, you can manage it from there with relative confidence. Too me, blooms on a worrisome plant are not as pleasurable.
The older leaves you showed are suspicious and I would test it.

I'll be sending some samples to Critter Creek today. Unfortunately, I tossed the worst of the leaves during my preliminary cleaning. I wish now that I had saved some to send off.
They suggest sending a bloom as well- do you guys think I should send one? I have a bunch of buds too.

[Izzie]

Re the flowers: I had also thought perhaps it was a lighting or shipping issue. However, every single one of the blossoms that are open are non-resupinate. There are buds that will be open soon, perhaps they will present differently.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by Izzie

I'll be sending some samples to Critter Creek today. Unfortunately, I tossed the worst of the leaves during my preliminary cleaning. I wish now that I had saved some to send off.
They suggest sending a bloom as well- do you guys think I should send one? I have a bunch of buds too.

It should not matter that you threw away the leaves that looked damaged. If it has a virus, then all the leaves should be affected.
It is only the youngest/newest leaves that may have a viral load low enough not to show up.
So no concern...just send "middle-aged" leaves for testing

As far as a bud, lucky it's a cymbidium with tons of them

Go for it

[Bolero]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

It should not matter that you threw away the leaves that looked damaged. If it has a virus, then all the leaves should be affected.
It is only the youngest/newest leaves that may have a viral load low enough not to show up.
So no concern...just send "middle-aged" leaves for testing

As far as a bud, lucky it's a cymbidium with tons of them

Go for it

That's interesting, I have always believed that the older leaves can show no sign of virus but new leaves will always show signs. I think there are a few people under that misconception if what you are saying is right.

[krystle]

oh ok well thanks i will check it out!! well i got my fingers crossed for your plant!!

[camille1585]

I was thinking of you Izzie when I was at the garden center this weekend. They had monster Cyms (8-10 spikes) for sale, and they cost almost nothing seeing the size of them. They had beautiful golden colored blooms. Had to pass on it I don't know where I would keep it here, my room is so small!