The Orchid Garden

Paph leaf variegation = virus?

Question:

I have had a Paphiopedilum for two years that has variegated leaves. The tag claims that it is Paph. Goblin, which I do not think was registered. Anyhow, there are vertical light green/yellow/white variegation on all of the leaves, and has been ever since I have owned it. The flowers don’t seem to be affected in any way; pure white/glossy. It is a seemingly healthy six growth plant currently in spike. I have checked the AOS Pest and Disease handbook (p.99) and could not find much information. It breifly mentions Cypripedium filamentous virus, but does not list hosts or leaf symptoms. It does mention that flowers have no reported symptoms. Pollinia did not turn up anything on this virus. Any thoughts on whether this may be a virus, or any info on the Cypripedium virus will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, Scott Mcphee

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have had a Paphiopedilum for two years that has variegated leaves. The tag claims that it is Paph. Goblin, which I do not think was registered. Anyhow, there are vertical light green/yellow/white variegation on all of the leaves, and has been ever since I have owned it. The flowers don’t seem to be affected in any way; pure white/glossy. It is a seemingly healthy six growth plant currently in spike. I have checked the AOS Pest and Disease handbook (p.99) and could not find much information. It breifly mentions Cypripedium filamentous virus, but does not list hosts or leaf symptoms. It does mention that flowers have no reported symptoms. Pollinia did not turn up anything on this virus. Any thoughts on whether this may be a virus, or any info on the Cypripedium virus will be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot, Scott Mcphee

Scott, First, I believe you’re right about the lack of registration…can you find out the parents?  If so, you may have a valuable plant. Re: variegation=virus, while viruses CAN cause a variegated appearance, that is not a requirement for variegation, which can be "merely" a genetic variation. —  Ray Barkalow – First Rays Orchids        http://www.firstrays.com

Response:

I sadly do not know the parentage. It looks like a brachypetalum x complex hybrid. I purchased it from Mike at Koala T Orchids (cool name, huh!). Does anyone know if they have e-mail or have their phone number? They used to be located in Sebastopal, but moved. I believe that they may be located in San Francisco now. Anyone? Scott Mcphee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Scott, First, I believe you’re right about the lack of registration…can you find out the parents?  If so, you may have a valuable plant. Re: variegation=virus, while viruses CAN cause a variegated appearance, that is not a requirement for variegation, which can be "merely" a genetic variation. — Ray Barkalow – First Rays Orchids     http://www.firstrays.com

Response:

Scott, What you are seeing on your Paph. leaves is probably the natural patterning found on the leaves of various Paphiopedilum species. Some of these patterns are white on a green background, some may have a slight purplish tint on a green background.  The reverse (underside) of the leaves often is a darker, mottled or nearly solid purple. Some species (or those hybrids involving these species) which exhibit this type of patterning would be P. bellatulum, callosum, concolor, godefroyae, fairrieanum, and others. This patterning is not the same as a variegation that could be caused by a virus. There are however also variegated forms of some paphiopedilums (also of Neofinetia falcata) which are the sorts of things highly prized by the Japanese, who guard some of the rarer forms jealously.  That kind of variegation has nothing to do with the viruses which are detrimental to orchids, and could be from a genetic result. HTH, Paul USF-Bayboro Campus 140 – 7th Ave S – PSD 001     "Time wounds all heels." -Frank Case St Petersburg, FL 33701                  ("Tales of a Wayward Inn")

Response:

Whoops, I should have made that a bit more clear. It is definitley not the normal decorated paph leaves. The lighter color forms a streak that runs with the veins, not checked or spotted. There is no purple underneath. It is similar to the variegation in my Cym. sinensis. Thanks for the reply though, Scott Mcphee – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Scott, What you are seeing on your Paph. leaves is probably the natural patterning found on the leaves of various Paphiopedilum species. Some of these patterns are white on a green background, some may have a slight purplish tint on a green background.  The reverse (underside) of the leaves often is a darker, mottled or nearly solid purple. Some species (or those hybrids involving these species) which exhibit this type of patterning would be P. bellatulum, callosum, concolor, godefroyae, fairrieanum, and others. This patterning is not the same as a variegation that could be caused by a virus. There are however also variegated forms of some paphiopedilums (also of Neofinetia falcata) which are the sorts of things highly prized by the Japanese, who guard some of the rarer forms jealously.  That kind of variegation has nothing to do with the viruses which are detrimental to orchids, and could be from a genetic result. HTH, Paul USF-Bayboro Campus 140 – 7th Ave S – PSD 001     "Time wounds all heels." -Frank Case St Petersburg, FL 33701        ("Tales of a Wayward Inn")

Response:

Howdy, It looks like I’ve missed some fun flame wars while I’ve been away, most notably about fertilizer. Geez, you people are so uptight about growing orchids. Anyway, I thought I’d mention this groovy site that I just noticed (and I don’t know whether anyone has pointed it out before) which may interest those of you who like to argue about viruses: http://biology.anu.edu.au/Groups/MES/vide/famly094.htm It’s a list of tested orchid species and what virus species are known to infect them. -j

Response:

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