Where Did all the Orchids Go?

Many have asked us, where did all the orchids go? It all started with a simple (or so we thought) project to ensure the orchid collection was inventoried and labeled correctly. Several orchids in the collection were missing their identifying tags or labels. The orchid family is so diverse, untagged plants are difficult to identify, especially when they are not in bloom.

Expertise from the Central Iowa Orchid Society

Maria Fedorova, VP of the Central Iowa Orchid Society, started volunteering with us in June 2024. She has been a big help in narrowing down untagged orchids to genus. Untagged plants were labeled with the genus, then we waited for them to bloom and compared the bloom to our list of accessioned orchids and hopefully get the identity that way. We’ve identified several plants using this process. If an orchid bloomed and it didn’t match any accessioned plant, we removed it from the collection.

Tagging for Better Identification

One reason for the project is that the previous plastic tags get brittle and break within a year or two. Plus, sometimes people remove the tag from the pot to learn more about the plant, and the tag isn’t always returned to the pot. Once we confirmed the identity, we created new dog tag-style accession tags. The metal tags are very durable. Also, since the whole tag is viewable, hopefully people won’t need to remove the tag to get the identity.

The completed inventory showed a collection that contained 60 varieties, with 118 plants total. Metal tags were made and installed. There were around 10 we were still hoping to identify once they flowered. Overall, we were pleased with the work.

Project Completed, However…

Here is where the complications started to arise. When Maria started, she suspected some of our orchids were infected by a virus. She took a couple sickly leaves home and tested them with at-home virus test kits. Both plants tested positive for Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CymMV). Tested plants and all divisions were discarded.

Viruses Found on Many Plants

Following up in December, Maria tested three more plants. Two were positive for CymMV and one was positive for Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV). In January we ordered a batch of 25 test kits to dig deeper into the problem. Almost every orchid tested has shown it has a virus.

Some of the virus-infected orchids look healthy, with just a few black spots on a leaf or two. There are many causes for black spots on an orchid. Some causes can be treated, but once an orchid has a virus, there’s no cure. And it spreads. Suddenly we had a shrinking orchid collection.

Small But Healthy

The bad news: We are down to 25 varieties and 35 plants. ☹️ The good news: We caught the viruses and halted their spread! 😀

Rebuilding Once We’re Done Rebuilding

What’s next for the orchid collection at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden?
We changed how orchids are cared for with:

• Stricter sanitation
• More space between plants
• Periodic virus testing

When the Gardeners Show House is completed the goal is to start rebuilding the collection. Would you like to be part of the opportunity to help the Botanical Garden grow its orchid collection? Please support our Horticulture fund and give today. We are grateful for any support! Please scan the QR code below. Thank you.