Anyone know what could be wrong with this?

Hope someone can help. We have a large area of Philodendron bipinnatifidum along our side yard. We've been in this house 34 years and these have always been here. I cut them way back a week or so ago. Today I was out watering some nearby plants and noticed one of the Philo's with a new leaf that appears to be heavily variegated. We have never watered or fertilized these things, they are just there and get water when it rains (a few along the edge of the area get water from the irrigation system twice a week, but this one is farther back in the group and not in the line of the sprinklers.) This particular one is also in full shade. Can anyone tell from the photo if something is wrong or is this normal? It's kinda pretty, other leaves on the same plant are the dark green so I'm wondering if this is a chlorotic leaf? I've never seen a pattern like this and just hope nothing is wrong with the plants. I will be keeping an eye on the rest of them for any changes.

Thanks,

Lin

Close up of leaf in question:

Hi,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that looks like dasheen mosaic virus (DMV). It might have come on as a result of winter stress (i.e. cold temps) and I can't say for sure if it is isolated to that leaf only. You should consider cutting off that leaf as close to the main trunk as possible, and then sterilizing your cutting instrument before using it to cut any other plants, especially aroids.

Here's a link for details on DMV:

http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/oc/freepubs/pdf/PD-44.pdf

Page 7 shows a picture of Philodendron leaves showing symptoms.

LariAnn
Aroidia Research

Thank you so much for the quick response LariAnn! We've had some hard freezes in past years that knocked these things down to the ground, but they've always re-sprouted when the weather warms up. The past dozen or so years though, we've had pretty mild winters, and then this past winter we had a couple of back to back freezes with temp's in the upper 20's, so I'm sure the plants were stressed. I will definitely cut the leaf and then sterilize the pruners! Will the virus spread to all the other Philodendron's? I will watch them as new leaves emerge in hopes it hasn't affected any of the others. I know these are common landscape plants here in Florida but I'd hate to lose all of them after so many years!

Thanks again for that link .. I'm printing it to have in my file for future reference!

Lin

Lin,

The possibility of spread is the reason I suggested removal of the affected leaf. DMV is spread by sucking insects such as aphids. The possibility of spread is greatly limited with the removal of the infected tissue. However, you should keep an eye out for any signs of other infection.

Meanwhile, there is an experimental option you can use to treat plants (including this one). Here's the link:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/730/

LariAnn

Extremely interesting to read LariAnn!

Thank's much.

Rachel