Question about virus

[Leafmite]

I am sorry to hear about what happened.
At least you know that they are an indicator plant and show signs of the virus readily.

[estación seca]

I know viruses related to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can infect orchids, but I don't know whether the TMV itself does. I have heard that people shouldn't smoke around their orchids, but the TMV is so long-lasting and difficult to inactivate that it probably isn't possible to eradicate from the hands of smokers until the skin layers flake off. Since the smokers or chewers are constantly contaminating their hands with new product, they will always have TMV on their hands.

[katrina]

Re - the ebay plant -----

If that were on a leaf, I'd say it's leaf miner damage.

Admittedly, I am by no means an expert on color break but that doesn't really look like what I'm used to seeing in color break on flowers. There is a natural striation pattern in the flowers and that could be confusing the image to some extent. Strange, for sure, but I'm not sure I would rush to color break.

FWIW, I've had trouble due to low humidity w/some anceps buds when they are developing and it results in some very odd markings on flowers.

If I were interested in the plant, I would ask the seller if it's ever been tested. The leaves look clean (possible even if it is virused) but mostly the fact that the other flower shows none of the issues...leads me to believe that there is a strong possibility that it's not diseased.

[gngrhill]

Thank you all for your answers. As to the plant in question, it looks quite good. As I said in my original post, I had a couple of positive tests in my collection, which I did toss. The leaves all look fine except for one that has very faint yellowish spots just coming on it. It has some fairly new leaves that are wrinkled, probably from a water or humidity issue. I will take all of your suggestions in mind as I make my final decision.

[PaphMadMan]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Speaking of viruses, I wonder if this plant on Ebay for $75 plus shipping looks virused to everyone.

Laelia Anceps Lineata Orchid Plant Selected Lineata Type Cattleya | eBay

The light patches on the sepals in the first picture could be from many kinds of physical damage, and the second flower doesn't have any of it. Doesn't necessarily look like virus to me.

As for the streaks in the petals, that is the distinctive feature of L. anceps var. lineata and looks appropriate for the type.

[wintergirl]

The light/white areas concerned me too but if you look closely at the other bloom it looks like it has some whitish areas there too. (although it isn't as clear as the other picture).

[Roberta]

An orchid with virus generally does grow poorly - but not always. Classic example is C. Porcia 'Cannizaro' The original FCC/AOS plant had virus, and it was passed along to all of its mericloned progeny - for decades. It is very vigorous, produces copious heads of flowers every year (for me, and everybody else that I know that has one). I am certainly not going to pitch it! However, knowledge is power. It lives out in the "back 40" well separated from other plants. (It lives outside quite happily) I don't take it to meetings (it is too big anyway) I certainly "handle with care" when I pot it. But it is a great example of "you never know for sure" and so need to follow all the good practices so that material from one plant is never transmitted to another.