How to prevent and control orchid mosaic virus disease? These key points must be mastered

Mosaic disease, also known as necrotic mosaic disease or necrotic spot disease, is caused by Cymbidium mosaic virus and mainly infects the leaves. In the early stage, the outer cells of the leaf mesophyll collapse, and sunken spots appear on the leaf surface; in severe cases, most of the sunken spots connect with each other, forming linear sunken patches along the leaf veins, and sometimes the sunken patches on old leaves merge to form brown necrotic patterns.

Orchid mosaic virus disease can be transmitted mechanically through sap during transplanting, repotting and other cultivation and management processes via tools such as scissors and hands. In addition, water flowing out of the pots of severely infected plants can also infect healthy plants with mosaic disease through wounds.

The host range of mosaic virus is extremely broad. In addition to Phalaenopsis, it can also infect more than 40 genera of orchid family plants such as Cattleya, Cymbidium, large-flowered Cymbidium hybrids, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum and Vanda.

Prevention should be the main approach to controlling mosaic disease. Once diseased plants are found, they should be removed immediately and burned promptly. Attention should be paid to improving environmental sanitation and scientifically disinfecting tools, etc., to prevent its spread. Commonly used disinfectant solutions now include 2% formalin and 2% sodium hydroxide aqueous solution (it cannot be used again after turning green). For disinfecting tools and the environment, a self-made disinfectant solution of 164 g of anhydrous trisodium phosphate (Na3PO4) or 377 g of crystalline trisodium phosphate added to 1000 ml of water can also be used, with excellent control results.