Anyone know?TIA
What causes this
It is generally thought to be caused by a virus. For a while plants like these were thought to be 'attractive' and cuttings would fetch high prices; some growers propagate this virus on purpose for that reason. However, it will weaken the plant and eventually cause it to die.
It is a good idea to keep an affected plant away from your others.
There is a different form of streaking which can be caused by excessive heat or some insect damage to the buds which is harmless; however, this is usually displayed as streaks that run with the shape of the petals, not blotched like what you are showing. Here is an example of the latter, which I had examined by a reputable grower who gave me this explanation.
That was quick..thanks.I thought it most probably would be virus induced.What should I do now ,the plant still looks healthy
Hetty is exactly right. It is caused by a virus which is rapidly spreading to more and more plumerias through carelessness or intentionally. It isn't spread by insects thankfully. If you are going to keep yours, I would recommend never cutting it and never letting the sap or parts of the tree touch any of your other plumerias. You can easily transfer the virus from one plumeria to another on your cutting tool. If you must cut it, use a sterilized knife and don't reuse the knife on another plant and sterilize the knife after the cut.
This virus is here in America, in Thailand, in Hawaii, and all over the world so I am not surprised that you have it there in Australia. Sorry about that. I think all of us collectors have been surprised to see it in our collections too. With all the sharing of cuttings that goes on, it was bound to spread rapidly.
What I don't like is: I still see sellers selling "Splash" cuttings/plants without educating the buyer on what they are actually getting. I am not talking about your fly by night Plumie grower. Right now there is a listing on EBay, from whom most consider to be the most reputable seller there is on EBay, selling a plumeria with a "unique splash of blood red". There is no mention that this plant has a virus, but it is very clear when you look at the picture that it does. I inquired about this particular plumeria. I asked the seller, in an email, to clarify whether the plumeria has a virus or has a variegated flower as the auction implies. I never got an answer. I looked again today, and the same "reputable seller" has the same cutting listed again, in the same exact way. When you purchase a "Splash Plumeria" you should be told that you are getting a virus infected plant that has the potential to be spread through your whole collection. That way, new people to the hobby won't accidentally destroy half their collection by using the same tools on virus plumeria as their healthy ones. Or start threads, no offense to you brical1, wondering what in the heck is wrong with their plumeria because the person that sold it to them did not mention that it had a virus.
I don't think people should be kept from selling virus plants at this point, as many people do enjoy the flowers that come from a virus plant, but if they do they should be on the up and up and tell the buyer what they are receiving.
I know I am going to catch slack for posting this, but I think it is time people were honest about what the "Splash Plumeria" really are!
Thanks Clare and Hetty for helping spread the truth about the "Splash Plants"
Davie Brooks II
Brooks Tropicals & Plumeria LLC
Yuma, AZ 85367
Davie this was considered a desirable trait a few years ago until the experts chimed in and educated us.
Personally I have never considered it pretty - but a lot of people would pay good money for it!
I agree, it would be good if people simply explained that what they are selling is a plant with an infectious organism and just treat it with respect.
Right on, Davie. I agree with you 100%. I personally would like it better if they weren't sold at all and destroyed instead, but I also understand that it is hard to do that for some people, including me. Education about this virus and dealing carefully and digilently with virus-infected plants is very important. That particular seller's father-in-law still refers to the virus as a chimera in his book, which is obviously erroneous.
Thank you Clare. I don't usually get this worked up over something like that, but I just saw her auction right before I read this thread. For someone, who is considered an expert and advertises himself as such, to knowingly advertise and sell a plant with a virus as a plant with a variegation or chimera...I find that very irresponsible.
I don't want to sound like I am against splash plants all together... I sell plumeria, and mosaic virus plumeria too (Was sold a few without being warned of the dangers or told that they had a virus all together). When I do sel a virus plumeria, I make sure the buyer is very aware of what he or she is getting and the potential harm it could inflict on their collection. Most people, after hearing this, no longer want the plant and usually end up purchasing something else.
My point is I think that the spread of the virus could be slowed drastically if everyone was honest about what they were selling, a plant with a virus. After all, as far as I know, it is only spread by sap transfer. Meaning educate people on what the virus is and how its spread and people would no longer transfer it from plant to plant unknowingly. In my opinion this can only happen if sellers are honest about "Splash Plumeria".
Soap box was so high I fell off,
Davie Brooks II
Brooks Plumerias & Tropicals
Yuma, AZ
Pictured is a Pink and Yellow variegated plumeria LOL Really its a Pink and Yellow Mosaic Virus plumeria
I think it is great that you are a responsible seller. I don't think anyone will disagree with you here at Dave's because most knowledgeable plant-loving folks feel the way that you do. Where you might get people that disagree with you is at the forums (Pals) where some of the commercial sellers hang out that make a lot of money from these virused plants, and some of those sellers even infect their plants on purpose. There is one seller here in Southern California who does that. There are a couple sellers in Louisiana who sell virused plants as well and may be infecting their stock on purpose. I know that many virused plants are coming from certain sellers in Thailand, but Kukiat is not one of them. Kukiat takes extraordinary care to keep his plants virus free. Luc is doing the same.
I'm glad that you feel passionately about this. There is nothing wrong with that; although, my passion has been known to get me in trouble;-) (Notice that I'm not a member of Pals anymore:-) LOL!
Here is a picture that belongs to FloridaJoe of his virused flowers of Cooktown Sunset.
Is there any way to educate the people over at Pals? What is Pals, I have never been there do you have a link?
That's scary that they do that. Some mosaic viruses are know to be spread by aphid, such as Tomato and Lettuce Mosaic viruses. Whose to say, with all of these virus plants out there, the Plumeria Mosaic Virus will not become easily transfered by aphid or thrip...
Davie
Red Mosaic Plumeria
Yeah, good point, Davie. It seems to me that any sap-sucking insects, like thrips, could transfer the virus, but that has not been demonstrated as far as I know. A mosaic virus got a bunch of my brugmansias, but I think the virus was transferred by the person who took the cuttings and sent them to me.
Here is the link to Pals: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PlumeriaPals/ I wouldn't try to educate them over there if I were you. A few have tried and were attacked and left, including me and Luc of Florida Colors. Some old minds are set in their ways over there. I don't want to bash Pals too much because Dete, Kathy, Hetty, and Mickey still post over there, and they obviously are not old and/or set in their thinking. There are just a few apples that ruin the barrel over there in my view, but if I keep talking about this, I really am going to be in trouble.
WOW! Thanks for that information. If I saw that picture of the Plumeria on eBay, I would have thought that the flower was cool looking. Too bad it has a virus and if I know of a Plumie with one, I wouldn't want it, just because I wouldn't want it to spread to my other plumies (if I have more than one :)
nasty virus or not?
thanks hetty!
Sorry Dete, Looks like a virus to me too. Is there any modeling in the leaves? What variety is that? Too bad because its a bueaty.
Davie
yep, there's modeling in the leaves. this is jeannie moragne. she's a beefy tree. i no longer take cuttings from her.
i'll keep her until the end...
i don't think she's going anywhere for a long, long time.
Dete, Do you know how it was transferred or did you receive it like that?
Davie
it came from a reputable source. however, i can't say that it came that way. the transfer could have happened on my end. i've had it since 2001.
I, for one, wish to thank *everyone* who informs/educates us newbies about the virus. Please continue to do so.
Didnt know this about plumies. Thanks for posting!
Theyre so pretty though. :-( lol
Crimson you're right they are beautiful! Its too bad it's a virus!
Clare is there any way to add this info to your sticky?
The info. on this virus is already there under "Virus in Plumerias," but I can add this thread to that section the next time I update. I have to get Terry or one of the administrators to unlock it first so I try to update it when I have several things to add or change so I don't keep bothering them.
I don't think that you need to add this thread if the info is already there.
Thanks though.
Okay;-)
Well, now I know I'm not crazy. Let me explain. I had a very large plumeria, yellow and white -- a branch broke so I planted it in another garden. No other plumerias around - thank goodness after reading this thread - this has been several years ago. Well, it bloomed last year and the flowers were so different color from the parenting plant. This new plant had this virus. The flowers were all different colors just like the ones you are showing now. It froze in Feb. so I cut it down. Actually didn't like it where it was so I dug it up. Here in South Texas we hardly got a freeze and this plant froze. Makes sense now that it was not healthy.
Mary D.