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Anyone know a sure-fire way to tell if your indoor plant has mosaic virus? I have an orchid and it has signs-yellowing blotchy leaves, little black spots underneath that are indented...some are yellowing at the edges of the spots...is it spots or is it more random blotchy amoeba-like shapes? I've heard some orchids just naturally ahve black spots on the leaves, but I think those are more pin-prick size than freckle size or larger. If it IS mosaic virus, should i just toss the plant or is there something I can use to get rid of the virus? Thanks!! lilitu
Plants: 49 | From: Omaha | Registered: Jul 2004
| Seeded: 68.13.73.107
Many virus diseases infect Orchids but diagnosis can be difficult; virus symptoms often resembles less serious problems.
Symptoms: Black, red or yellow spots or steaks appear on leaves. Flowers may have white or brown streaks or mosaic patterns.
Treatment: Have plant tested to confirm diagnosis. Plant viruses are incurable; destroy infected plants. Plants may carry visruses without showing symptoms, so always sterilize tools before use on each plant.
Check also "leaf spot" fungus such as Cercospora or Colletotrichum.
Symptoms: Leaves have sunken, purplish brown or black spots. Spots start as yellow areas on leaf undersides, becoming more visible on both sides of leaf as they darken.
Treatment: Take plant outdoors and spray with a fungicide containing benomyl. Remove badly damaged leaves. Leaves with a few spots may be left on plant. It is a rare orchid that doesn't have a spot or two.
From "All About Growing Orchids" by Ortho
For more info on Orchids, please visit the American Orchid Society's website at
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or is there something I can use to get rid of the virus?
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