White BLC. blooms have purple spots and green streaks
Hello Orchid Board!
I am a newbie to posting on the board, but have followed many of the posted threads over the last few years. Very informative and enjoyable reading! What a great invention the internet is as we can access expert and novice orchidists from around the world. This site and it's members have been a great resource.
I am a 37 year orchid hobbyist and recently started my own hybrid crosses and deflasking seedlings; good result with the crosses, mixed with the seedlings, but I have only planted two flasks so far. Hope to turn this into a full time job as I am a burned out social worker and am looking for a career change.
The reason for the post - I have a recent purchase of a BLC. hybrid that I got from a local grower; on the last trip I noticed that several of his BLC. and SLC. had deformed blooms with odd coloration. I had already bought this one in bud and when it bloomed, white with light yellow throat, the petals were tipped with fuschia-colored spots. Several petals had green stripes on the back that showed through as yellow on the front. I immediately sprayed with copper soap in case of fungal infection, but I suspect this is viral. Even after 37 years of growing, I am somewhat vague on diseases / infections. Suggestions?
This grower has been very encouraging of my venture and has given me some great deals. He is the only grower in our area that has retail sales and has been very good to me. I hate to quit purchasing from him, but I am paranoid of viral outbreaks having seen several greenhouses destroyed by mosaic and cym. ring spot. I would like to post a pic, but have not figure out how to do so yet!
What do you guys think?
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