White BLC. blooms have purple spots and green streaks - Orchid Board

Stray59 · #1 11-21-2012, 03:06 PM

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?

Stray59 · #2 11-21-2012, 04:13 PM

By the way - I forgot to say that the bloom was fully open for two days and the the sepals started folding shut and the bloom is now dying quickly.

WhiteRabbit · #3 11-21-2012, 06:09 PM

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ng-photos.html

There is a restriction on posting links until you have 5 posts. This extends to posting photos using a URL. I'm mot sure if this also extends to direct uploads. You can try that, or just make a few more posts

To upload directly to your post, use the attachment (paperclip) button.

Leafmite · #4 11-21-2012, 06:10 PM

It honestly sounds like virus. You could get it tested just to be certain it isn't too much growth hormone or the result of fungicide/pesticide but I think with those symptoms, I would dispose of the orchid.
I have a favorite cattleya that came into contact with a suspicious looking orchid and so I isolated it. When the new growth formed, it was deformed. Then the leaves began to get those spiral markings and when it bloomed, the blooms were not right and had color break, then faded quickly. I put it outside this spring, in a clear bag, far from the other plants (other side of home) and it remains there now to die. I cared for it with hopes that my suspicions would be proved false, but instead, I feel they were confirmed. The new growths were slow in forming and growing, were marked, the vigor is gone.
Concerning the vendor, if you wish to speak to him, tell him how wonderful the plants have been in the past, that you have always bought from because of the quality, and say that you are very concerned because your newest orchids seem to have some sort of problem and, as you are paranoid, you fear it is a virus (do this in a way that you blame yourself-paranoia, not him). If he is a good vendor, he will want to look into this and see if he does have a problem. A good vendor doesn't want customers to be unhappy. Good luck!

Stray59 · #5 11-21-2012, 08:14 PM

White Rabbit:
Thanks for the tips on loading photos onto the post = that is what I wanted to do, and somehow missed the paperclip Icon. I appreciate everyone's patience with this 'newby'1

Stray59 · #6 11-21-2012, 08:19 PM

Leafmite:
I fear that you are right. I am having a few thoughts about how to approach my vendor as he is known to have rather mercurial mood swings and has been known to 'cut off' people that he feels insulted by; your suggestion if probably the best. Also, I have already decided the one plant is not worth the risk. Unfortunately, I have several of his cat's, and other species, that I now suspect. Thanks for the feedback.
Stray59

DavidCampen · #7 12-03-2012, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stray59

...
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.
...

I hope that you start testing your breeding plants for Ondontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV) and Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CymMV).

Today I will be mailing several Agdia Immunostrip test sets to a vendor so that he can try to find a clean plant to replace a virused one that I just got from him.