To test or not to test?

[Pat'sCatt's]

That is the question! Today i tested three of my Cattleya's for the first time on CymMV and ORSV. They were all clean and not infected with a virus!!

And when i was waiting for the test strips to show the results i wondered why i didn't order some tests earlier.
The people at Agdia (were i got the tests from) were really super nice and excellent in there service.
I'm very pleased to know that the orchids i tested are clean, it gave a real peace of mind. (Don't know if that is correct English)
And i think it is well worth the money, buy a little less new orchids and instead by some tests!

So to answer my own question: defenatly 'to test'!!

[Brooke]

Your English is great!

I have tested many of my orchids and if the plant is virused, the red line will appear almost immediately. If the line doesn't change color almost immediately then the plant will be clear after the 20 minute wait.

Yes Agdia is a great company to work with even when you send them samples to test. They have the ability to test for other viruses they don't have test strips for currently.

Brooke

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Your English is great!

I have tested many of my orchids and if the plant is virused, the red line will appear almost immediately. If the line doesn't change color almost immediately then the plant will be clear after the 20 minute wait.

Yes Agdia is a great company to work with even when you send them samples to test. They have the ability to test for other viruses they don't have test strips for currently.

Brooke

Hi Brooke,
Just out of curiosity, did you ever test orchids that were virused? Because untill now i only got good virus free results, bud i'm a little anxious when the extra line will appear in future test!!

Good to know that Agdia also provides that! Thnks!

[Brooke]

Yes I've had a few virused plants. Surprisingly more than 90% test virus free. Of course you are always nervous while you wait and watch those two lines to see what they say.

Brooke

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by Brooke

Yes I've had a few virused plants. Surprisingly more than 90% test virus free. Of course you are always nervous while you wait and watch those two lines to see what they say.

Brooke

Thnks Brooke!

[LovePhals]

Glad that yours didn't turn out viruses. I'm going to test some of mine this summer. I have mostly Vanda and Phals. Seems like most people test a majority on Phals, Den's, and Catts.
I don't really hear of Vanda's getting tested for virus or of people testing them, is this accurate? I don't really see it on Bulbophyllum for that matter, either.

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

Glad that yours didn't turn out viruses. I'm going to test some of mine this summer. I have mostly Vanda and Phals. Seems like most people test a majority on Phals, Den's, and Catts.
I don't really hear of Vanda's getting tested for virus or of people testing them, is this accurate? I don't really see it on Bulbophyllum for that matter, either.

Thnks! I only have two Vanda orchids, bud i did test them because they are both hanging above my other orchids and sometimes they drip water on the leafs from the orchids below. So i wanted to be sure that they were okay. And they were. So they can drip now safely!

[LovePhals]

Originally Posted by Pat'sCatt's

Thnks! I only have two Vanda orchids, bud i did test them because they are both hanging above my other orchids and sometimes they drip water on the leafs from the orchids below. So i wanted to be sure that they were okay. And they were. So they can drip now safely!

Yes, I actually have a lot of Vanda but only 5 drip on my others, and i have wondered that too. They all look super healthy though, so I am not too concerned. I have just not really heard of people testing Vanda maybe they are a safer genre b/c less people keep them b/c of the conditions they need.

[Pat'sCatt's]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

Yes, I actually have a lot of Vanda but only 5 drip on my others, and i have wondered that too. They all look super healthy though, so I am not too concerned. I have just not really heard of people testing Vanda maybe they are a safer genre b/c less people keep them b/c of the conditions they need.

I think you're right, Vanda's are not mentioned often when it comes to testing for viruses. Catt's, Oncidiums, Cymbidiums etc. are mentioned much much more. So maybe they are less funarable in catching a virus. If yours look super healthy i wouldn't worry too! 👍

[tucker85]

I use the Agdia test strips quite often but I don't test every orchid. It's about $8 per plant for the tests. My experience has been that orchids that showed signs of virus, like severe color break on the flowers, have always tested positive. But I've had a few that had some suspicious markings on the leaves and they tested negative. I throw out any orchid the tests positive.