Plant suspected of viruses

[Merita]

Last year I isolated this plant because it bloomed with a broken color, this year it bloomed normal. Can a plant with a virus make a normal flowering? I keep it separate but I think it's not virosis.

[estación seca]

You can't tell for certain whether a plant is virused by appearance. Testing is required.

[Roberta]

Color break can have causes other than virus - like insect damage as the bud was developing. I actually have exactly the situation. Suspicious markings on petals of a small Catt. Tested it, negative. Closer examination, I even found a small hole that could have been caused by an insect. I agree with ES (and lots of other people)... you totally can't tell by looking. Invest in some test kits, test when you're suspicious. (not just color break on flowers, but "failure to thrive" ) These can be due to multiple causes. virus is only one possibility.

[SouthPark]

True. Don't be alarmed merita. There are certainly cases out there - where a 'break' in colour might give an impression of virus, but not necessarily a virus (or not due to virus). Just the way that the pigments develop, or how the petals were folded when inside the bud --- can give the wrong impression of virus.

[WaterWitchin]

Same response... only way to know is test. But I might add that is a most beautiful set of blooms. VERY NICE!

[Clawhammer]

"You can't tell from sight" is exactly why I don't worry about viruses.

If the plants are well taken care of and in the correct environment (lacking consistent stressors), viruses will be dormant. I just practice good greenhouse hygiene and minimize vectors. Good to keep plants that have shown visual symptoms isolated if possible.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Merita

Last year I isolated this plant because it bloomed with a broken color, this year it bloomed normal. Can a plant with a virus make a normal flowering? I keep it separate but I think it's not virosis.

The fact that the problem is not showing now is a good sign that it was not virus. Virus never "gets better". Other things that can damage flowers such as insects or a petal getting stuck during its development are limited to the one blooming and getting normal flowers the next time is great. This is a beauty!

[Fairorchids]

Actually, I have heard of virus being cured. In a known infected historical plant, one division was inadvertently subjected to significant heat stress. Subsequently it tested clean (and has now been meristem propagated).

[estación seca]

I have read of Hippeastrum (garden amaryllis) being cleared of viruses by heating bulbs in 60C water baths. Not all plants survived the treatment. A high-end sous vide cooker could do this. I don't want to deliberately bring virused plants into my home for testing.