Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Color bleeds into leaves, 1 by dbrooks

dbrooks wrote:
Hi Dana here are some pictures for comparison of leaves from plants I believe to have the virus. Does it look similar to what you have? I could not tell from the pictures you sent.

I have had many plants that have come from Hawaii that show signs of having a virus. These Plumerias came from "Expert Growers" and not so reputable growers. I approached(by email) one of the "expert growers" in Hawaii about the virus, and was told that it is not a virus until tested and proven to be a virus, and furthermore he doesn't know of any lab capable of testing for the plumeria mosaic virus...so until then its not a virus. The grower did offer to replace my plant...but next season...they want to wait and see if the symptoms show up again...which they may or may not. My point is if you do not want plants with a virus you better make sure of whom you are buying from. Make sure they are willing to back up all sales with refunds if a virus or other problem occurs. Steer clear of any plants labeled "Splash" or "Mosaic" Be weary of plants labeled "Chimera", it can't be proven to be a chimera, unless it tests negative for a virus. And as the "expert grower" pointed out there is no lab that test for the virus at this point in time. Also you need to be very cautious when trimming your plants...always clean your tools before moving from one tree to the next...a virus can take a few years to show itself...usually only if the plant is really stressed....so a healthy plant without symptoms could still be carrying the virus.
One more thing...not all people know they are selling virus infected plants...some people are ignorant of what the virus symptoms look like, or are in an area where the plants never get stressed enough to show the symptoms...so ask first before accusing anyone of selling you virus plants.
All my opinion..,
Davie
Bottom of new leaf with what I believe to be PMV (Plumeria Mosaic Virus) symptoms.