Virus. My heart just sank. What do I do???

[ALToronto]

I would cut off the entire cane, being careful not to touch the infected leaf to anything. If you're a student, do you have access to a lab with microscopes? I'd want to have a closer look.

Also, is there a plant biology professor you could talk to? Universities are such great resources!

[NYCorchidman]

[QUOTE=AnonYMouse;759517]

• Some say nearly all orchids are virused (I don't know their logic but I have my own theory that viruses are present).

Well, they are obviously wrong.
Many plants (including orchids) are virus free.

When people say things like "all are this way" "such and such is NEVER the case", well, you know they are wrong.

Unfortunately, the incident of virused orchids will not decrease because many nurseries do not care enough (only money, grow and ship out, sell out) or simply not practical or possible to properly control the handling of plants in a way to reduce virus infection.

Plus, all the hobby growers and general public who buys orchids (cut flower or potted) often do not know about the virus, or do not care (for my society, I'm laughed at for my proper care) , and they exchange and give away...etc.
No wonder virus is all over the world.
It is a highly frustrating situation that makes me want to quite orchids sometimes.

[Orchid Whisperer]

In the same way that people can contain viruses, but not show disease symptoms, it is possible for orchids and other plants to contain viruses while remaining asymptomatic: Orchid Viruses

I wouldn't necessarily say that ALL orchids are virused. But, many orchids that appear healthy may still contain viruses. The older the plant, the more that it has been exposed to insects, or bad cultural practices, the greater the chance it has picked up a virus. Good cultural practices help reduce the chance that viruses are being spread between apparently healthy plants.

[astrid]

I think every living thing has some sort of virus. How many people have had chicken pox? A wart? How many viruses are asymptomatic?

Whether or not those viruses cause problems in the long term is another question.

I appreciate all your comments!

[lepetitmartien]

Most viruses will keep asymptomatic till they can spread enough with age or when the plant is feable or under heavy stress. Then bingo.

That's why also signs are first on old leaves and not the new. Also some kind of mecanism (fast growth and mytosis) protects young plants ans new leaves (save in desperates cases for the last).

Not all are infected, depends of the origine and care of cultivation before it reaches you and you at home, the presence of vectors… We have stats on the spreading made in Brazil, starting with clean plants propagated in a nursery. At propagation they were virus free. After 3 years of culture and normal care, about 60% of the Catts were infected. It can sure spread. But it doesn't mean it is visible or will be an issue save for the rest of a collection, because the plants can spread the virus then to others thru daily care by the homegrower or mealies, thrips etc.

There's no need to be paranoid on the virus issue, most orchideist know their job, but you can be sure the original nursery in Asia is that clean, unfortunately, for example : never buy catts from Asia, way too many virused plants unfortunately. But in Asia they worked a lot in Taïwan to clean the phals from contamination and it's improving.

So, what to do?

- while shopping, avoid palnts with spots on leaves or strikes/breaks in flowers.
- watch for leaves when clearer spots not evoluting appears, or circular markings appears (it must DRIIIING in your head this last and test!)
- check all flowers for breaks and strikes, if any, separate and watch the next flowering and if it occurs again, test.
- mosaic signs can be measleading, check first for fungus or mites, and if no improvement, test.

Note that the only sure diagnosis is testing ! And don't be paranoid, there's way more chances to have mites or mealies.