Beautiful leaves of variegated Phalaenopsis and Viruses!

[smartie2000]

I thought I would share with everyone some information. I have been trying to collect variegated orchids myself however:

I recently tested my variegated phal with an Agdia test strip and it tested positive for Cym Mosiac and Odontoglossum Ring Spot virus. I soon let my vendor (who will remain unnamed) know only to discuss the issue and he shared with me some info.

He said that he had a visit earlier this year from a Taiwan grower, and he mentioned that all variegated phals have been artificially induced by introducing viruses into the cloning process. He really didn't believe the Taiwan grower, and suspected that something was lost in the translation, so he didn't give it much more thought.

I also found this link when I did a google search. Someone else had a virused variegated phal: Phalaenopsis aphrodite var. formosana 'variegata' on Flickr - Photo Sharing! and with this statement: "It's a shame non-virused variegated Phalaenopsis are such a challenge to acquire"

I have also tested a variegated dendrobium kingianum and cymbidium ensifolium and both tested negative, so definitely is there is nothing wrong with my test kits nor are all variegated plants virused.

Based on this info provided from the Taiwan grower, I suspect that it is most variegated phals that are virused. I wonder if this is really true. I hope that those with variegated phals will test their plants too and share with us their results. If most are virused we certainly don't need them in our collections!

It is such as shame that I had to toss this plant in the garbage and the pot is so nice I cleaned it but I am hesitant to use it again:


Personally I understand why someone might want to create an variegated phal. They can be valuable and are collectable. I've even read that we can make bromeliads variegated with viruses.