Bleeding Acidanthera

Nollie

Most of my Acidanthera, all still flowering, are the normal pure white with deep purple centres, but this one has just flowered...it’s like the purple has bled. Usual result of weird weather patterns do you think, or something else?

Rubytoo

I have grown them a few times over the years, and never had that. A search says they can be susceptible to mosaic virus. But would that not also show up on leaves.
Is that leaf behind with the yellow stripe running up it the same corm?
It is sort of pretty, but if all the flowers on it come out that way I think I would discard that one.

I thought you were cussin'.
Does it still smell as nice?

Nollie

Thanks @Rubytoo I looked that up too and I think you are right and it’s some sort of mosaic virus, yes those leaves are of the same plant, knowing my luck it’s probably got two diseases. I do seem to be plagued with all sorts of lurgies in my new garden. Definitely cussing now, the Acidanthera are one of the few plants my deficient sense of smell could detect! Will stick my nose in tomorrow and see if it’s still there, but yes they probably need to come out. Shame.

Rubytoo

Over here we treat them mostly as annual bulbs. Sorry if they are hard to get or expensive for you there.

But I would keep them, other than the one that shows the possible virus. See what the rest of the flowers are like, maybe it was the only bloom affected. If more do or if you manage to keep them and they are bad/ it spreads next year, then get rid.
I love them though don't always remember to get more, nor plant them up in time, they need a long season to grow and flower well here.

Nollie

Hi @Rubytoo another couple the same appeared today so I think I will hoik them out just in case. They were cheap bulbs from my local Lidl so hopefully they will have them in next year. Thanks for the advice.

Rubytoo

Sorry to hear more dodgy ones came up. But hopefully easy to get again next year.