cattleya virus?

[charity]

So my rlc. salmon queen just bloomed with some streaking. I haven't had it long. Could it be virus?

---------- Post Merged at 05:49 PM ----------

It also fell out of the window when the buds were forming and had to be repotted. Could stress have caused this?

[orchidlady]

It could be a virus, but it is impossible to know for sure without testing. It could also be cultural or a genetic mutation. Do you see any signs on the leaves that might indicate a virus?



Susan

[charity]

A few black spots that look like sun or water damage. I'm talking small spots the size of a pin or a little bigger and maybe 4 or 5 on 7 leaves, so I'd say they are normal. Where can I get the tests?

---------- Post Merged at 08:01 PM ----------

BTW, came from what I hear is a very reputable nursery. Don't think they'd knowingly send me an infected plant.

[orchidlady]

I sent a PM of one site that carries test kits for the hobbyist.

Susan

[Sheryl]

It's still very pretty!

[Dorsetman]

The usual problem with virus testing is that it costs almost as much as the plant. And the signs are readily confused with ones from poor culture. The general conclusion for the amateur is not to worry - or if you are seriously worried, bite the bullet, and burn the plant. And of course, never ever take that plant to a show or Orchid Society meeting .
If you have a greenhouse with thousands of plants, of course it is different - you need to be sure , before you start destroying plants ; but you would need to test .

[charity]

Do you ever get false positives? This is what I got last night out of the three orchids they sent me.

---------- Post Merged at 02:38 PM ----------

Not good. I suspected the one and the leaves look fine. I only suspected the one because of those blooms but the other hasn't bloomed yet.. this sucks

[Dorsetman]

This is very interesting. I have never actually seen the kit etc before. Can you explain the meaning of the results, from left to right ? I can guess, but I'd like to know ,.

[charity]

left is the clean one. No virus. The other two are positive for cymbidium mosiac virus. There is also the possibility of a third lower line that indicates ring spot virus. All orchid were negative for that

---------- Post Merged at 07:24 PM ----------

I feel terrible and don't know what to expect from the nursery that sold them to me.

---------- Post Merged at 07:32 PM ----------

They refunded my money. They are supper nice people, and I feel sooo bad!