Would You Test if You Could?

[DebsC]

Would you test your complete collection for virus, if you could? Would you want to know?

It's kind of a scary thought. What if all your favs were virused but not showing signs!!!! I read last night where this is highly possible. Not that they were all virused but that they could be and show no signs.

What a nightmare!!!!

[Gin]

I would have to win the lottery first
I might random test but not the whole collection , I read about a guy doing just that every new plant was tested . Gin

[Ross]

Wow, what a scary thought I'd have to have some reason to suspect virus before attempting this.

[gixrj18]

I would want to know immediately, so I could get them away from the healthy ones. I'd take them outside, and plant them in the wild (around my yard and lake). Then, if they did live, my yard would look beautiful. And if they didn't live, at least they weren't infecting the good ones (if there are any).

[markr]

Originally Posted by DebsC

What if all your favs were virused but not showing signs!!!! I read last night where this is highly possible. Not that they were all virused but that they could be and show no signs.

I understand where you're coming from but if the virus doesn't harm the plant or its appearance, what difference would it make?
There are several decoratively variegated forms of collected houseplants that are that way due to viruses.

[gixrj18]

If it wouldn't hurt anything, then there is no problem, right? I'd leave it alone, or isolate the healthy ones in a different room, or something.

[DebsC]

I believe that viruses do hurt and eventually disfigure orchids. I read a very interesting article about this. Here is the link if you'd like to read it, too.

http://www.orchidtrek.com/diseases2/disease2.html

[Ray]

Marilyn is a knowledgeable grower, but I have "issues" with that piece.

I am convinced that every living thing has some traces of every pathogen to which it has ever been exposed. They generally are kept in a benign balance unless something throws it off and then it can "take hold" and do its damage. That doesn't mean that it absolutely will, though.

Back to Marilyn's article for a moment, as she actually, in sort of a backwards way, supported my stance: she stated, in response to "How does the disease spread?": "Poor growing conditions, too little light, inadequate air movement and high humidity, cold or warmth, are always a recipe for disaster for plants unsuited to those conditions." That is NOT how they are spread, it is how the plant's physiology is stressed to the point that the disease - already in place - can take over.

I have heard it said that "every phalaenopsis is virused". Could be. Might not be. I don't know. What I DO know is that if you grow them well and don't follow practices that will allow pathogens to be spread to other plants, it's OK.

[nancy]

This is a pretty interesting subject. I agree with a lot of Ray's views - keeping your plants in a healthy condition works to head off a lot of problems. After awhile, I think you develop certain habits as second nature: disposable latex gloves, sterile blades for every plant, sterilized pots, new clips and medium for every plant.
Every 5-6 years, I have a dozen or so plants tested. I do not test plants that I think are "on their way out" - it seems like a waste of money. I usually get any that are 'suspicious' tested (change in growth or blooming habit, weird growing habit, etc.). If flowers show color break, I'd rather trash them than test them. And I usually choose a few at random. Test oldest plants first, too.
I do not test plants lacking vigor, sickly plants, or BU (buttugly) plants.
I don't know where Marilyn gets her testing done, but it usually runs about $4-4.50 per sample for me.
There are some pretty common plants that can be used for a home test indicator; I haven't tried this, but would like to, just to 'see'. From what I understand, results are visible very quickly this way, and positive results are unmistakable.
Regards - Nancy