Virus???

[Tanya]

This look like a dead ringer of virus infestation to me. This plant has never been infected with any pests before. But few years back, I did had one pot of another yellow Oncidium who displayed the same leaf streaking, the plant growth slowly declined until I finally tossed the plant out. Never seen the symptom again until this time. So far, only one pot is infected and the streaking shows only on the 2 new growth.

The plant is Oncidium Gower Ramsey. Any opinions??

Again, I apologize for the quality of the pics.

[LJA]

Tanya, I haven't seen streaking like that on Oncidiums before. I've also never seen pictures of virused plants that looked quite like those, but I haven't seen very many pictures of them either, so my experience here is severely limited.

If it were me, I'd look to other causes first--nutrient deficiency maybe--before I'd move to viruses. There's going to be no real way to tell without testing, and even then, testing won't be 100 percent accurate either.

Did you do any cutting or something on the plant recently that makes you think it could have gotten virused?

[Tanya]

Originally, I only had 2 pots of this plant before, now I have 5 pots. I did divisions, yes, and I used my old cutter without observing those aseptic techniques .

Anyway, I put this under observation, and if the growths show any signs of deterioration, just like the first one before, I will toss it out.

[Tanya]

OK, now I recalled something else that I forgot to mention before. I said I tossed the first infested plant out, what I forgot to mention is that I saved the pot . There is now a big possibility that the same pot is where this plant is growing now .

I hope this is only nutrient defficiency. It reminds me of a child I saw in Under Five Clinic in Philippines loooong time ago. I think the child was suffering from a defficiency called kwasiorkor (ah...I know I spelled that wrong...I'm sure )






When I need the spellcheck its not available......

[LJA]

It's too bad you can't get it tested somewhere easily. If it *is* virus, it would have been good to have a picture like that available so people could see.







I don't think that word would have been in the spellcheck....

[catfan]

I don't think the plant is virused...I've noticed the same type of spots on new growth on some of my oncidiums and their intergenerics...and I am extremely cautious when it comes to virus. The discolorations dissappear as the new growths mature. I'm not sure what causes it, but I have tried to flush out any excess fertilizer. I grow most of these types in baskets with sphagmum, and I think that the moss retains more salts than a bark and charcoal mix.

When I am suspicious about a possible virused plant, I always look at the overall health as well as any discolorations. If I'm pretty confident that I'm meeting all the cultural needs, and the plant is not showing new roots and growths, I'll give it a week or two, and if it doesn't improve, I toss it. If the plant has new growths and new roots, then there may be something else causing the discoloration. I've never had anything tested, but I have tossed quite a few plants that I thought were sick...expecially before I started using one new razor blade per plant. I soak my used pots for a day or more in bleach and TSP solution, then run them through the dishwasher. Never re-use a pot that hasn't been sterilized.

[Gin]

Tanya , I agree with the others , look for other things first , is there any sign of rot near the base of the growths, between leaves ? Gin

[Tanya]

Gin, there is no sign of rots but I am following yours and the others advice. I isolated the plant and wait and see for any development.

Catfan, I hope you are right and that the plant will outgrow the spots.

Thanks for the input everyone.

[Tardie]

Hi Tanya!

What happened with your plant since? Was it virus or not?
I have now the same problem on my Oncidium Sharry Baby.
Thanks if you answer!