Two bad Words .... Mosaic Virus

Fall of 2013 I bought some Brugmansia cuttings on ebay and the next Spring I was greeted with Broad Mites on all of the new cuttings. Not knowing what it was I let them grow until they looked so bad I had them tested at the state Ag Dept. I destroyed most of the ones I bought but kept three that seemed to be OK. I treated all my Brugs with Avid several times as directed. Late last Summer I noticed that some of the flowers on two of the original cuttings had spots on them. I treated with Avid again. I just had my first blooms on those plants and they have spots on the flowers again. I have been told that it's Mosaic virus and that all my plants need to be destroyed.

Is this correct information? I hate to destroy ALL of my plants if I don't have too. Do I need to destroy all plants or just the ones with spots on the flowers? The ones with spots are two variegated leaf plants. One non variegated plant has a few spots on some leaves but has not bloomed yet. Everything has been treated with Avid this year.

Thanks for any help. I trashed those flowers and will post a picture when they bloom again.

I am going to be out for a few hours but will check back later.

Betty

You can try stripping all the leaves and using a good insecticide . I use bayer 3-in-one for roses .
The big problem is that if birds land in trees , they pick up the virus and spread it around . My brugs are in pots mostly , so I drench them regularly — a word of caution - Systemic poison should not be used within 10 feet of food plants .

The Ag inspector only comes by every couple of weeks and I did not want to wait . This was about 4 years ago and never heard back from Ag guy . At that time I went with Moxie spray service — they sold out to terminex and they don't do plants . I am with Clark now and other than they cannot figure out what is eating the leaves of Bears breath and brugs , they are doing a good job with the ants and spiders .
I would start using a good insecticide / Systemic poison every couple of months and watch new leaves and flowers . If the plants are in pots , separate into different areas . Mine are in 3 areas , — like 2 whites , 2 yellows , pints , doubles — prettier that way

I need to see pic's as they say pic tells the story. I sell on ebay and I don't know anyone who would send such a thing out. That would mean they got wiped out too.

Thank you Danasplants and tonyjr. I'll make pictures tomorrow of the plants. They look healthy except for a few pale spots on some of the leaves. As soon as I get more blooms with spots I'll post pictures. I have dozens of beautiful Brugs and watching everyday for signs of problems on the others. The cuttings were large stem cuttings with no leaves. I always soak all cuttings in a peroxide mix and a mix with an insecticide when I start to root. I don't remember the name of the person I bought these from, I should have kept better records. I know there were other problems with the purchase. Some paid for plants were not shipped and a couple were not labeled. I am over that and would just like to save my plants

Here is a collage of a few of my plants.

I would not wait — strip the leaves and add a insecticide .
If you used paypal , they will have a list of who you paid . Ebay is harder to look up , but you can also find there .
If you can , post who you got them from . I also buy off ebay — it is the easiest place to find hard to find / get plants . I am in Calif. And the county Ag inspector has me on file that they can inspect any packages . I also have seller write O K to inspect .
The last plant was called a parrot flower — [ heliconia pisttacorum ] .The seller is in Fl . He said he shipped 2 large [ I paid for ] and 3 small — young ones- labeled for color . I got the 2 large ones and one non labeled one . The Ag guy may have tossed 2 that may looked bad — kept them for speciams - I don't really care - I got the ones I paid for .
From your pictures , something has to die or be given away to make room . I am in between Berkeley and San Fransico botanical gardens and donate " extras " when they have plant sales .
Pictures are 2 years old

tonyjr, I sent cash payment. I would have kept the name if I had any indication that there was a problem. I have traded and bought Many plants with never a problem usually receive more than I pay for. I try to think this person was unaware of the problems.
From my photo you can tell I love my plants. I made the collage for a friend several years ago. This is just a small sample of my addiction. Living in Nashville I don't know why I'm so addicted to tropical plants.
From your pictures you look like you run me a good contest. I did use tree and shrub yesterday on all the Brugs. I also picked up a couple of sprays that the garden center recommended today and hope it's cool enough to use tomorrow. I picked off all the leaves with spots and looked at every leaf and don't see any with a problem today. Still waiting for flowers.
Betty

I am in Calif - most of good " stuff " is outlawed here . I go to Reno to buy for plants and gunpowder [ also hard to find in Bay area . [ My wife asked if I need " stuff " , we spent a night or 2 , used to be almost free rooms - but to many indian casinos now . When I bought the house , it was a track home - came in from property line , put in side walk all around and big patio . Then - 100 roses in front yard [ down to about 60 now ] 50 in back yard [ down to about 35 ] Lots of herbs from Mexico [ friends , relatives and neighbors come for them ] My neighbors are a melting pot - 2 blacks , 3 Filipinos , one from Malta , 2 from India , one from Iran , 3 from Mexico . I get a lot of - do you have , So and so is getting married, can I have so rose petals ? My wife cannot go to bathroom - can I get some figs / herbs - rose hips ?
People bring me seeds , sometimes cuttings from their friends -
A nephew in LA wanted to try the hot chili's but could not find them - both Indian friends had seeds - sent them and not they brought me 2 plants - I like the flavor of chili but not the heat . I have / grow chili pekeen , serranos , jalapinos - more water and better flavor / less heat .