What's wrong with this mtdm?!?!

[Liz]

There are three new growths. A month or so ago, there was a nasty web and/or bug (I don't remember the details) growing in the center of the growths, so I sprayed it with my all-purpose fungacide, insecticide, miticide. The bugs are gone, but the new growths are streaked with yellow. For some reason, I have this fear that it's a virus.

TIA for the help. Liz

[Persistence]

So, the plant had none of this before the bug/s?

[Liz]

No, I noticed the streaking just before I noticed the bugs. I got it in bloom and it was great; it just recently had a weird spike that grew twisted, so it got stuck trying to get out, and never really made it.

I thought getting rid of the bugs would have helped, but it's still growing out streaked.

[LJA]

Liz, it may very well be virus, but unfortunately, there's no way to tell for sure unless you send a piece of the plant in for testing. The patterned chlorosis you're seeing (especially since it occured before the bug infestation) is one of the typical "early symptoms" of viral infection. For now, until you get some test results back, isolate the plant from the rest of the herd--there's unfortunately not much more you can do.

Critter Creek Laboratories does viral testing for a few dollars per test. I can't seem to find their addy or phone # right now, but when I do, I'll post back.

[Persistence]

Virus is a definite concern. i have not seen bug damage like that before caused by mealys, scale or mites but I have not even begun to see it all.

If you just bought the plant not to long ago you might want to tell the seller about the problem. I know if I was a seller I would not want people telling others I was selling virused plants.

[Liz]

You know, I've had it for maybe 9 months. I have no idea how it could have contracted a virus, but I first noticed it about a month ago. It was $12. I'd rather toss it than risk my other plants.

[Jmoney]

what did you spray it with?

[Liz]

I been using a product by Schultz, under the Garden Safe brand (this was comforting when I chose it) called Fungicide 3, which is a fungicide, an insecticide and a miticide in one. I've been using it for some time on my roses and tomatoes without problems.

I have used a balanced fertilizer weakly weekly and occasionally SuperThrive. (Tho I'm trying dynamite as of yesterday.)

I haven't tossed it yet. Maybe if Louis can find that phone number I should splurge a few dollars...

In the meantime, how isolated does it need to be?

[LJA]

Liz, here's the info:

Critter Creek Laboratory
400 Critter Creek Road
Lincoln, CA 95648
916-645-7111
crittercreeklab@earthlink.net

Dr. Arthur Allison, who founded the place, is a plant virologist so these folks know their stuff. They charge $4.00 to test a specimen for both CMV and ORSV, which are the two most common viruses orchids get.

If you do decide to get your plant tested, definitely post the results--if it is virus, your pics would be really helpful to a lot of people: there isn't much out there in terms of pics of virused plants, at least online...

...isolated completely from your other orchids so that there's no contact whatsoever, and wash your hands with soap and hot water after handling it and before handling other plants.

[Nobody]

Is this a Mtdm. Issaku Nagata? I had two plants that had severe symptoms, like ones plant path people describe as "beautiful." They seem to be really susceptible, I think. I also noticed yellow Phalaenopsis tend to be susceptible to virus we have in our greenhouse.