does this look like a virus?

[southernbelle]

Doesn't the invitro process of many repeated cloning phases for virus removal have high risk of genetic mutation?
If so then there becomes a risk that the cleaned clone may not actually be a division of the original prized plant. Mutated clones can look identical but actually pass on different genetics when used it producing new hybrids.

My explanation of the process is the way I understand it in the simplest of terms, however, may not be completely representative. That would be an excellent question for Beth Lamb, she also does a lot of work for ag companies getting viruses out of commercial crops and is in FL. If you google her, I think you could find contact info. I know Dave Off has her info as both he, Art Chadwick and Keith Davis have sent her historic plants. Keith is the most scientific of the 3 having been on UNC's hort staff, and would be happy to talk to you. He does not sell plants, but has a website with contact info and would not mind the contact at all. https://keithdavisorchids.com/index-orchids.htm

 

[Aaron888]

oh on a side note I forgot to mention - the Cattleya orchid that started all this was the only plant out of my collection that tested positive for BOTH viruses on the test strip - ORSV and CymMV all the other plants only tested positive for the ORSV. I spoke with the man who gave me the Cat. and he told me he got it years ago as a "baby bag orchid" from a box store. So now I am thinking that was probably definitely the original plant.

 

[Aaron888]

sorry to revive an old thread but now almost a year later after culling so many plants from my collection that were positive I am paranoid. Out of 15 Phals. all tested positive except 2 and now a year later those 2 still test neg. However, and this is a Big However,. both plants are spiking but in a very strange way. Instead of the spikes growing normal they are branching like crazy and short and stubby. I am wondering if it is possible to be positive but give neg. results. I am about to the point of being so paranoid over these 2 plants that I am to the point of trashing them regardless but hate to get rid of plants that are ok. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[gonewild]

A picture would help

 

[Aaron888]

 

[Aaron888]

 

[Walter Meshaka]

When in doubt, test for both you and the plant.

 

[gonewild]

The top plants spike looks normal to me.
The second plants spike looks odd but maybe genetic. Has it bloomed before?

 

[gonewild]

Are you applying any kind of hormones?

 

[southernbelle]

View attachment 52751

This type usually grows like this, so I think it might just be mature enough, now.

 

[jtrmd]

I agree it could be a virus. But wait to see the next blooming to make sure it’s not a one off defect with the flowers.

 

[Aaron888]

I retested both plants for virus before posting and they both came back negative but what got me worried was they had never bloomed this way in the past. I was amazed at these 2 coming back negative when ALL of the rest of the phals came back positive so with these unusual bloom spikes this year it had me concerned even with the negative test results.

 

[Aaron888]

Are you applying any kind of hormones?

no I have not used any kind of hormone on these BUT I have used seaweed based fertilizer (for some reason I am thinking that I remember now that you mention hormone that seaweed has plant hormones in it) so maybe that is the cause?

 

[gonewild]

no I have not used any kind of hormone on these BUT I have used seaweed based fertilizer (for some reason I am thinking that I remember now that you mention hormone that seaweed has plant hormones in it) so maybe that is the cause?

Yes there is a high possibility the plant regulators in seaweed would cause deformed growth. On phals the flower stems are extremely sensitive to the effects.