Where are all the Orchids?

Many asked, “Where did all the orchids go?” A simple project (or we thought) started to ensure the orchid collection was inventoried and labeled correctly. Unfortunately, it revealed some unexpected news. Because the orchid family is so diverse, untagged plants are difficult to identify, especially when not in bloom. And, several orchids in the collection were missing their identifying tags or labels.

Expertise from the Central Iowa Orchid Society

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

Tagged for Better Identification

Another reason for the project was the previous plastic tags got brittle and broke within a year or two. Sometimes people remove the tag from the pot to learn more about the plant, and the tag isn’t always returned correctly. After identity is confirmed, new dog tag-style accession tags are created. The metal tags are very durable. Since the whole tag is viewable, the hope is people don’t remove the tag to get the identity.

The completed inventory now shows a collection with 60 varieties, and 118 plants total. Metal tags were made and installed for all identified plants. Around 10 still need identification once they flower. Overall, the work and project went well.

Project Completed, However…

Where did complications start to arise? Maria began to suspect some of the orchids were infected by a virus. She took a couple sickly leaves home and tested them with at-home virus test kits. Both of the 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, a batch of 25 test kits to allowed us to dig deeper into the problem. Almost every orchid tested showed a virus.

Some virus-infected orchids look healthy, with just a few black spots on a leaf or two. Many things cause black spots on an orchid. Some can be treated, but once an orchid has a virus, there is no cure. And it spreads. Suddenly the orchid collection began to shrink.

Small But Healthy 

The bad news: The Botanical Garden now has only 25 varieties and 35 plants. ☹️ The good news: The viruses we caught and their spread halted! 😀

Rebuilding the Orchid Collection

What’s next for the orchid collection at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden?
We no care for orchids very differently. We follow these rules:

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

Now that the Gardeners Show House is completed, the goal is to rebuild the collection. 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 whatveer you can give. Please scan the QR code below. Thank you.