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Questions about ORSV

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Golden Raised Orchids, Mar 29, 2018.

  1. Mar 29, 2018 #1
    Golden Raised Orchids

    Golden Raised Orchids New Member

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    Hi everyone! I have some questions about ORSV, and I'm hoping someone might be very knowlegeable about Orchid diseases. I have over 140 Orchids and never had any with disease, but most of them are "rescues" so I know it's always a risk. I try to take every precaution (sterilizing tools, washing hands, etc), but I have a few Phals that seem to be showing signs of what looks to be ORSV (although I have not tested them, yet). All the information I can find about it talks about diagnosis and that they should be quarantined from other Orchids, but no one really discusses long term result or treatment (if any). I understand that there is no cure for many viruses, but I really don't want to "burn" and kill and Orchid as some have suggested. Can an Orchid live longterm with this kind of virus, and is there any type of possible treatment or help for these Orchids? At the moment, they seem otherwise healthy (flowering, growing roots, and growing leaves). Please help!
     
  2. Mar 30, 2018 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Location:
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    First, let me state that diagnosing plant diseases can be a real challenge, as the symptoms can often look similar with several, totally different pathogens. For example, classic ring spot viruses can look a lot like a fungal infection emanating from a single spot where an insect bit the plant, or a drop of water sat, allowing the fungi to proliferate.

    The best thing to do is buy some Agdia Immunostrips and testbut if you'll post a photo, I'm sure the folks here will give it a shot....

    That said, I am of the strong opinion that orchids, just like people, are likely to carry every pathogen to which they have ever been exposed, and their immune systems, while not nearly as complex and effective as ours, do allow them to live and bloom anyway. However, also just like people, their ability to do so is dependent on the level of stress in the plant - properly grown and with very good culture, the symptoms may never come forth, but even something as relatively innocuous as underwatering or exposure to higher light levels than the plant really prefers can apply sufficient stress to through things "out-of-kilter" and permit the virus to rear its ungly head.