Beautiful leaves of variegated Phalaenopsis and Viruses!
 

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:
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...e/DSCN4349.jpg

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.

That is amazing information if true. I look forward to hearing progress on the tests.

If they all have a virus then it could hurt those selling them.

BTW please don't blame your vendors if you find your plant virused. They obviously would not of imported them if they knew better.

I'm not suggesting we blame them, I just mean that if people have imported varigated plants to sell and people find out they have a virus. They won't be able to sell them and therefore will lose money.

That could hurt some vendors who invested in them. I am not suggesting anyone blame a vendor or person.

I see what you mean

I'd really hate ppl emailing their vendors for refunds. We don't need anymore orchid hobby firms closing down.

I'm not saying we can't enjoy them. People keep their virused plants in another growing area. I just don't have room so I tossed it.

What an interesting topic...I see some research in our futures! :shock:

Thanks for posting this, Fren :)

This is an interesting topic for me, this I am doing a master's degree in plant breeding. I don't think that all variegated phals were created by virus induced mutations.

It is true that in the past variegation was induced by contaminating plant material by viruses. This was especially the case in the 1800s with tulips and Tulip Breaking Potyvirus. However, there do exist new techniques to malke these plants virus free,or classic selection methods can be applied. That's why all modern rembrant tulips are virus free

Up until fairly recently, viruses were one of the only ways to create variegated plants. Now with modern mutation breeding techniques, mutants can be induced (by irradiation, chemicals or transposons). These techniques are what helped create variegated phenotypes (both in flowers and foliage), due to mutations in the chlorophyll (in the case of foliage). That's how we have pelargoniums with variegated leaves for example, or speckled snapdragon flowers. It is also possible to have variegated plants by selecting and breeding plants which naturally mutated.

While I'm not saying that variegated phals are not created using viruses, what I mean is that there are plenty of other techniques out there that work the same way. I don't know of many crops where virus induced mutagenesis is still in use. I don't know what kind of technology is being used in orchid breeding.

Also, assuming that variegated phals are made by using viruses, your test kit only identifies 2 viruses. To my knowledge, these viruses does not create such drastic variegation. I suspect another, very specific virus would be used which has known effects, like with the Tulip Breaking Virus. Your test kit would not detect it.

Sorry if this is so long, I felt that some things needed to be explained!

Fren, this is very interesting and for me, especially since I've often wondered about some of my phal chids and the discoloration of their leaves being caused by a virus. I'm interested where you purchased the Agdia test strips....directly from the manufacturer? And what was it about your plant that made you test it...????

Fren, can you point us in the direction of where we can obtain a testing kit that won't break the bank?

If the variegation was introduced by another means would the test kit give a false positive ? I would send a sample to
Critter Creek Laboratory would be a shame to toss a plant for no reason . Gin