Mosaic Virus
Group:
After losing several plants to Mosaic Virus (MV) here in the South, I have
done much research on this unusual and stubborn disease. My conclusion is
this: MV is incurable. If your plants become infected before fruit set, there
is no hope. MV modus operandi is this: it gets into the plant through direct
means (piercing insects or direct sap contact from hands, garden tools,
pruners, etc) and corrupts the plant's ability to produce normal flowers,
fruit and leaves.
The only time MV is not disastrous is when late season infections appear
after fruits are set and nearly mature. Sometimes, a grower will see a few
leaves with mosaic mottling (light and dark blotching with raised bumps)
appear off a secondary very late in the season after normal fruits are set.
My suggestion is to break infected parts of the vine off and bag them up or
burn them. Avoid using tools to prune infected vines; the virus can remain on
the tool and spread to other plants easily, even season to season.
Much has been written on this horrible yet fascinating problem. Here's hoping
that you never have to experience the disappointment of MV.
Barb
Orlando, FL
There is no spray or soil treatment that can rid your plant of MV. The key is
timing. Early infection of MV can best be handled by pulling up the infected
plant and burning or discarding it where you are certain it will not be
composted.
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