virus? - Orchid Board

kavanaru · #1 11-20-2007, 05:15 PM

I recently received this Blc. Bryce Canyon from a nursery I wanted to test. I was very happy with the service and the plant itself: it looked very happy and healthy, and even had two flower buds growing in the sheath... yesterday, they finally opened... and

they look like virus infected...

I have never seen an infected plant before (only pictures)... Can you confirm whether this is a virus infection? The plant looks otherwise very healthy, and the leaves and roots are fine... I have it isolated in my sleeping room... just in case!

kavanaru · #2 11-21-2007, 06:50 PM

Anyone an idea?

Gin · #3 11-21-2007, 09:26 PM

Hate to say this, but it could be color break virus then maybe not the only way to be sure is to have it tested .Here is info. on it ... Sorry I am not more help ... Gin Flower symptoms:

The flowers may show necrotic streaks within a few days of the flower being open. However, flower symptoms usually show up only after about two weeks and are especially noticeable in white Cattleya flowers (CyMV).
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Flower colour breaking is consistent with a TMV infection. Streaks of dark pigmentation are often observed in predominantly pink to lavender-flowered orchids. Colour breaking should, however, not be confused with white streaks on lavender-flowered cattleyas that are caused by a genetic abnormality.

Ray · #4 11-22-2007, 11:44 AM

Looks pretty much like classic color break to me...

kavanaru · #5 11-22-2007, 02:37 PM

Hi both, Thanks for the reply... so... so far I understand "classic color break" is just another word CMV, right? and it would mean I have to kill this plant...

Gin · #6 11-22-2007, 04:19 PM

Yes CMV

Sorry , It is a pretty flower , I would take it to the grower if you have not had it very long .
Problem is if you keep it and have an insect attack they could spread the virus . No use risking your other plants . Gin

kavanaru · #7 11-22-2007, 05:46 PM

my problem is that in the symptoms description is stated that symptoms in the flowers appears jsut after @ two weeks. In this case, they were there from the first day

and the plant looks so healthy...

Can it be possible it is just that the flower buds got damaged for any reason, or that the plant had some genetic defect? (I have isolated it by now, but am just hoping for someone to say it is not a virus

- I know, I am also lying to myself with it...

)

camille1585 · #8 11-22-2007, 06:19 PM

If the marks where then when the flowers just opened, it could be due to insects, or be a reaction to a chemical that was used on the plant. Could be virus too. If you really want to know what it is, I think Cornell University can check it out for a fee. I don't know how much that costs, but I don't think it' that cheap!

kavanaru · #9 11-23-2007, 02:15 AM

Hi Camille,

not only Cornell University can test for virus. Normally, you would be able to send your plants to local labs (e.g., Universities, National Dept. of Plant Protection, etc) or you can buy one of those "instant kits" (25 units per 200€). So, if you are ever in the need of usingone ofthose services, there is no need to send your samples to the USA (which could also bring you to the problem of importing infected plant material into the USA)

as per my plant...

camille1585 · #10 11-23-2007, 07:51 AM

stupid me! I didn't pay attention that you were not in the US!

Too much food last night muddled my brain. And Cornell was the first example that came to mind, I couldn't remember any others