Cymbidium - Virus??

[smartie2000]

Hey,
I have a Cymbidum Maureen Carter 'Dafon' that used to be a easy bloomer indoors. For around three years it had symptoms of virus, brown dots, streaks and dead tissue all over the leaves so I isolated it. I should also mention that the plant has also suffered from scale and spider mites before, which we didn't use chemicals to control. Do you have pics of pest damage on cymbidium for me to compare?

Just recently all the new growths are normal looking after some attention for the plant this summer. The entire plant looks normal now, so I have no pictures to show of the damage. It never bloomed once all these years probably due to low light from isolation, it was far away from the window. Perhaps it will bloom this year, if blooms can help judge its condition. I just repotted it, but I don't know if it is really a safe plant. No one it the house uses tobacco and the collection wasn't large or cluttered so I don't know where the virus could be from.

Any advice about viruses? Should I just dump it?

- Fren

[Ron-NY]

Fren the insect damage and the chemical use on it could have caused the leaf damge. If the new leaves are good looking, I wouldn't worry but to be safe you could have it tested for a virus at a reasonable cost.

[Tmai]

Smartie, I'm the least likely person to help, but it sounds as if you've made an effort to save this plant and that it is working. I say give it a try if it's a special orchid to you - but please pay attention to the more experience forum folks. Good luck.
Tmai

[Diane]

If it looks good now, I wouldn't dump it. I would give it a good washing down with something like Physan, then let it join the rest of the gang.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Yes, I agree. Don't give up on it now. If it show no signs of virus, it was most likely sun damage or pest. Cyms are fairly hardy plants and seem to grow fast and replace dead foliage. I would follow the above advice. Wash it down with Physan, let is set a week or two more in isolation and then another bath with Physan (probably overkill, but better safe than sorry) and then put it back with the regular collection and enjoy it when it blooms for you.

Cheers,
BD

[Piper]

You should be fine, Fren. If it were a virus the new growth would be effected. If the new growth looks good, then it was a past ailment that you're beyond now.

McJulie