Last rites for virused Cattleya loddigesii

[Dorsetman]

Some people may not have actually seen the horrors of a virused plant , or believed what virus could do. Here's one which has just gone to the bonfire. Cattleya loddigesii, growing on bark - was up to three leads this year, although I broke one off through my clumsiness ; flowered beautifully last year, with 4 (perfect) flowers or more per spike - it dropped a few buds this year, then shocked me, by opening so badly virused. Can't see any trace on the leaves - but those flowers.
A good colour when it is uniform, but that streaking ... And deformation too.
Enough to give any cattleya grower nightmares...
Maybe Bruce will want to move this file to a special decontamination zone ? But fortunately virus can't be spread through cyberspace - you'd better hope.
Mourn with me !
Its really almost my bedtime - I think I'm going to take a shot of Scotch Malt to bed with me, to banish the cattleya blues.

[orchidsal]

That hurts...............................I do mourn with you Geoff, I do....................To think you could give your orchids the best care in the world and something like this happens.....................I'm Sorry. AL

[stateless]

sorry to hear, but thanks for the photos, some of the better ones I've seen to show virus

[tradceci]

Oh no! Im so sorry this happened.

[yvonni]

I am so sorry for your loss Geoff .
Can I ask though how do you know it's a virus as opposed to bugs or something else ? Is it just the lost of pigment? Also , what is the normal procedure when one sees these signs one a plant ?

[cakedaddy]

Oh Geoff! That is terrible... It's not often I see such clear signs.
Posted via Mobile Device

[cakedaddy]

I am so sorry for your loss Geoff . Can I ask though how do you know it's a virus as opposed to bugs or something else ? Is it just the lost of pigment? Also , what is the normal procedure when one sees these signs one a plant ?

Color break on a cattleya is usually considered to be an obvious sign of virus especially when it happens in conjunction with any sort of deformities in the flowers. If virus is suspected, it's best to destroy the infected plant unless there is a way to isolate completely from others. I would not risk isolation unless the infected plant were of sentimental value or rare.Posted via Mobile Device

[orchids^_^]

I so sorry for you and the plant! Looks like a wonderful plant...

[max]

That is a horrible fate for any orchid... and to one that was so beautiful.... I'm grieving with you geoff.

[mujacko2002]

Mabuhay!

That's terrible but I thank you for doing what is right.