New Dendrobium virused?
 

:hello :bowing

Went to the local orchid greenhouse and purchased a lovely new Dendrobium Burana White. At least I thought it was lovely...the longer I've had it home I've been really examining it leaf by leaf and am concerned about a particular leaf that may be virused.

While going through an older book of mine "Home Orchid Growing by Rebecca Northern I came upon a black and white picture of a cattleya leaf afflicted by odontoglossum ring virus. And it looks like the leaf on this new orchid!

I'm worried. :_( It's possible the leaf is just aging but I can't be sure. I'd really appreciate everyone's opinions and input.

The plant is at least 18 inches tall, has 5 canes with a large spike of 8 buds.

The pictures are taken to show the color changes and how blotchy the leaves look close up. In the greenhouse it was difficult to see the gradations in color. I really want this plant to be well!

Cheers!
Neo

I don't feel knowledgeable enough to give you advice but just wanted to say that I like "kitty cat" in the background! Good luck with your lovely plant.

:)

Your dendrobium might just be stressed and losing leaves. Mine sometimes lose a couple if I forget to stake them or if they are shipped from a nice, warm place to here in the winter. Or, it could have a fungus. I was ready to get rid of a cattleya until I read that one of the parent plants does get black specks on the leaves and a combination of mealy bugs and a cold spell can mess up the flowers. Now I have it separated and I have a feeling it is fine.
A physical chemistry professor and fellow plant enthusiest (who was doing research with plants to build better solar panels) once told me that the only way to tell for certain if a plant has a virus is to search a tissue sample (or two) with an electron microscope. The second best way is to watch the plant. A virus will stress the plant and usually it will grow less vigously, might have deformities, express clear signs in the blooms or leaves, and become more susceptable to bacterial or fungal attacks. Growths are often smaller, sometimes the orchid will quit blooming. Usually, if you stress the plant, the symptoms will show up more quickly. I would keep the orchid away from any others and observe it for a period of time and see how it does. If you are really worried, there are test strips but they aren't 100% accurate and the number of viruses they test for are limited. Or, you could take the orchid to the vendor and simply ask about the leaves. If it is an orchid grower, they will know what is happening.
Good luck,
leafmite

re: virused dendrobium burana white?
 

Thanks for the replies:

Unfortunately, the orchid grower is never at the greenhouse when we go there! The person (very nice) that assists us always acts like they really don't know anything about the plants; I mean, I've never gotten a straight answer out of the greenhouse assistant, and I've purchased from them before.

And there aren't any other orchid growers in the surrounding area. I'm hoping it's just a leaf showing senescence. And it is isolated. Wish me luck! BTW, that's my girl Grace in the corner, she's my little sweetie cat :biggrin:

Neo

The only way you can say that your plant is virused is by testing. You can buy a cheap strip test kit online. You are lucky that your grower is just a drive away. You can leave a note about your concern and show the pictures you showed us. But mentioning the word: "virus" might wreak havoc and panic on the greenhouse staffs...most of those staffpeople dont grow orchids: they are just there for the sales job

Too right, I don't want to create a problem with the grower!
 

Exactly Bud:

I've purchased from this grower before and while not perfect plants they are nice and heck, I'm still learning! I would rather wait and see if this leaf is just an old leaf; I am seriously considering sending samples for virus testing. I became concerned by comparing the leaf to a black and white picture in a book from the early 1990's so I could be wayyy off (and I'd prefer to be incorrect).

Cheers!
NeoOrchid

Here is a link that has some great pictures (in color!) of orchid viruses. I hope the link works!
http://www.icogo.org/images/Dr._Chin...id_Viruses.pdf

Leafmite- thanks for that awesome link :)

Definitely have to agree, I once had a plant I was sure to be virused that I had a tissue sample taken and came back negative.