I'm CymMV Positive

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Yup, that's right. I've got Cymbidium Mosaic Virus in my collection.

And what's worse? I could have prevented it all had I not bought a plant against my better judgment. But I over-rode my gut feeling by saying... "Oh, the leaf just got wounded. It's only cosmetic." I bought the plant locally late last Summer. The symptoms never spread, and the blooms were immaculate. Now it has new growth nearly mature, and is beginning to put up two sheaths... and bammo! Symptoms which made me go

So, I ordered 5 test strips from Agdia and hoped for the best. I tested the suspect Cattleya today, as well as 4 neighbors. The Cattleya produced a very strong positive result for CymMV. Another plant I bought just a couple months ago which was next to it gave a faint positive... and it appears there may be one more very faint positive in the 5th test. Please take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think.

I have several other plants which in just the last two days have developed a few small spots which I'm terrified means they've got it too. I've moved my collection around a bit since I got the original plant, so can't really recall who it's been sitting next too. I'm pretty meticulous about cleanliness... but I'm a messy waterer at times.

The only good news in it all is that the new plants I've gotten over the last couple of months have not been in contact with any of the rest of the collection... so they should be OK. Nonetheless, I've ordered an additional 75 test strips. I won't be able to test every plant, but I'll be able to test a lot of them. I'm going to test those most important to me, and I'll isolate the rest just in case.

From here on out I test EVERY SINGLE plant the minute it gets here. I know there was someone else here on OB who said they did that... but I can't recall who right now.

Anyhow, here are the pictures of my tests, and the plant that started it all.

[Zozzl]

I think you are wise to test your suspicious plants. I am not an expert but I know that plants that look like they have a virus frequently do not have a virus. The other plants you are worried about may not necessarily test positive. It is a tricky thing and it frequently is difficult to tell whether it is a virus, fungus or mechanical damage. Personally, I can't tell from looking at your samples thought the experts on this board may be able too. You are wise to take a hard line to protect your collection.

Pat

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Thanks for the reply Pat. Yes, I think I'll be surprised by which ones test positive.

A den that tested positive doesn't really have symptoms that would have concerned me much. It was the strip 2nd from the top in the pictures above.

Here are some pictured of that dendrobium.

[Zoi2]

Nichole, I am sorry to hear about the MV. Hopefully you'll only have a couple of plants affected.
Joann

[Lagoon]

Awww geeze Nicole - what a shame
The 3rd photo does look viral - something like speckle fleck virus. I've seen this in a couple of oncids, they just didn't grow no matter what I did. So, I burned them in the yard and toss them into the trash.

Its sad Nicole, but don't feel to bad, I'm sure we all have a few in our collections, you're not alone.

Keep testing let us know how you fair. You're teaching us

[MuscleGirl'sHobby]

Thanks for the words of support. I think what's so hard is the idea of tossing them. I'm really quite attached, and replacing them would be way too expensive... especially after the cost of testing them. But I know it's for the best in the long run. The original Cattleya I can live without. While pretty and fragrant, it was a NOID anyhow. But the Den... I'd been shopping for and was super excited to get. I'm worried about which else will be positive.

I will certainly keep the thread updated with my results. I'm really hoping it has just affected a couple plants, but I'm not optimistic. Most plants in my collection were pretty clean (aside from some water spots here and there), and I've prided myself on keeping them that way. I went back through and began taking much closer looks and I'm finding little specks that weren't there a few days ago. It really makes me wonder what would cause it to explode all of a sudden. Maybe it's that the plants are really beginning to grow now after the winter, and so it's showing up.

When I ordered the tests my thoughts were really "OK, lets put this evil thought in the back of my head to rest for good." I think it will be helpful for others to see the pictures of the plants that test positive. I had passed off the idea of a virus because every time I search for pictures, and in every single book I've read, the pictures of the virused plants are incredibly severe cases. I'd rather not wait for symptoms to be that severe before confirming the infection. The marks on my infected plants pale in comparison to the ones I've seen in pictures. So although I was worried, I thought I was over reacting.

[Florida_guy_26]

I am so sorry Nicole. I wonder if maybe biting and sucking insects or parasites have been wreaking havoc on your collection and maybe spreading the virus that plagues a few of your plants. I have always worried about the spots on my plants, but now I am scared like hell about any spots and I just hope and pray that my plants are not infected. do the plants stop growing when they become infected or what? Try minimizing your contact with plants to avoid putting any plants at risk as I read even moving plants around can spread the virus. Also, maybe try using antiviral soaps or alcohol to sterilize plant leaves and get rid of any unwanted pests- alcohol (isopropyl) will destroy 99.9% of viruses and any other pathogens and unwanted suckers from spreading diseas among your collection. I periodically spray all my plants with alcohol even on the leaves and stems to kill anything that should not be in the medium.

[SP2340]

Is this something that could have been avoided if Physan 20 was used occasionally?

[calvin_orchidL]

I feel for ya - had the same thing happen in my collection last summer and after sending a bunch of suspects to critter creek, I had a few positives Now I bleach my water soaking bucket between waterings and ALWAYS sterilize my tools. Typically I think viruses spread either by unsanitary practice, or insect vectors which are tricky because sometimes you don't see them. Physan might help, but it's not really an anti-viral so it won't do much.

I'm hoping I've eliminated it all but you never know and as you've shown, some plants really have very little symptoms.

How much did 75 strips cost you?? I am thinking of doing a complete test of my collection again just to make sure things are clean.

[susiep]

Yikes! I need to test some plants too. Where do you get those strips?