Cause of variegated leaves

[orchidfever]

Hi,

New member here! I have been growing orchids (mostly catts & phals) for a good number of years, so not exactly a newbie but not an expert either. Recently caught the Neo bug.

Here is a curious question: what caused the various types of variegated leaves. Are they a result of genetics, virus, abuse, culture, the environment, pure luck, or what?

I also read that one type pattern could change to another. Is that true? What could cause the change?

Thank you!

[cathieo]

Hi OrchidFever,
I'm a fellow neo nut. Just love 'em. Re variegation, to the best of my knowledge, it's a genetic mutation. Some variegation reliably reproduces but I would say, from my experience, most does not. Some growths will show variegation, others not and yes, it can mutate to another pattern. Light makes a difference in how "showy" the variegation is—more light for plants with yellow markings, less for white patterns. It's my dream to be able to afford a variegated bean leaf.

Hope that helps a little.

[s1214215]

I think most are just mutations in Neos.. For some odd reason, this species is prone to it.

I wonder will N. richardsiana prove likewise? I have a few, maybe I will know one day hahah..

Asian nationals tend to have a fetish for varigation of certain plants, and it has put demostrated some plants have had varigaetion introduced by virus and other methods.

I guess you need to look at if a Neo is an established variety, and stabile. I cant say I have seen a varigated neo that I thought was virused though. Mind you, I am limited to 10 varieties so far.

Brett

[RJSquirrel]

they have a varigated form of masdevallia and they say if a green leaf pops up remove it before they all turn green...so it can reverse itself in some instances

a mutation that becomes a feature is no longer mutated but propagated for the feature...

[rathwulf]

As I have read, this is a mutation. Variegated plants tend to prefer a lower light level because they cant retain process clorophil (green means clorophil). So they are actually a bit more delicate than normal counterparts.

Taiwanese genetic enguineers have managed to create variegation inducing viruses in the invitro phase, you can search for variegated phalaenopsis amabilis, a lot (if not all of them) show positive for virus but seem to be asimptomatic and hopefully not a vector for transmission.

Also they can irradiate orchids provoking variegation and also with chemical exposure kinda like when they are making tetraploids.

Lol I imagine them all like crazy plant scientists