Virus positive plants, Agdia Immunostrip.

[DavidCampen]

Originally Posted by orchidsarefun

well - how would you suggest you increase your collection/breeding stock ? Its a bit of hit/miss if you have to purchase first and then toss, not to mention the potential considerable $ waste.
I am apprehensive because it could be that I have a lot of virused plants !

Yes, it seems that a lot of breeders and vendors feel the same way.

As for me, I will establish a virus free collection. This will mean testing each plant twice, once when it is first purchased and if it survives that test then again a few months later.

[Wfuavenger]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

Yes, it seems that a lot of breeders and vendors feel the same way.

As for me, I will establish a virus free collection. This will mean testing each plant twice, once when it is first purchased and if it survives that test then again a few months later.

That first test and then second test is a great idea. For The second test, I would wait at least 8 months and test a different area.

I have had some vendors replace or refund when virus positive plants get tossed. I have also had one that I have spent over $1,000 with this year and he refunded one then told me he wouldn't do anymore refunds. I am no longer giving him any more money.

[DavidCampen]

Photos of a Potinara I have had for about 6 months that tests positive for ORSV and CymMV.

[orchidsarefun]

that looks terrible. Did this recently manifest or thinking back, was there evidence of this 6 months ago ?

[DavidCampen]

I don't think I would have bought it if it had looked that bad but I was at a show (Santa Barbara) and it was something my wife wanted to purchase so perhaps I didn't look very closely. I did note in my journal that several months ago I cut off part of a leaf thinking there was a bacterial infection.

I am not going to be buying any more plants until I have tested and retested every plant that I have now. I will finish my first round of testing using the Agdia Immunostrips, this will cost me over $800 for the Immunostrips ($120 for a batch of 25 tests). Then after waiting a few months I will retest, this time using the Agdia ELISA tests to save some money.

[samarak]

I wish I had enough confidence in the test strips to undertake that sort of plan myself. Like you (and, probably, virtually 100% of all orchid growers) I aspire to a virus-free collection, but how to really know (or at least know how likely it is that you know) is the problem.

But I admire your dedication and willingness to commit resources to the goal. (And I like your tag line, too.)

Steve

[DavidCampen]

Thanks for noticing the tag line.

As for the Agdia test strips I really doubt that there are any false positives except by gross operator error such as mistaking the control line to be a positive result line. I would like to know more about the claims of false positives in certain cymbidiums as I really doubt it.

[Tardie]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

My understanding is that infection occurs when sap from an infected plant enters an open wound on another plant. This could be from a cutting instrument or from sap on your hands or work surface or possibly from commingling of roots or possibly via sucking insects.

Of the 6 infected plants that I have found so far, 2 of them I selected for testing specifically because they looked unhealthy and lacking in vigor. None of the 6 plants had the classic chlorotic rings or mossaic patterns.

I don't understand your comment that
"I must admit to being apprehensive about testing, ... . Buying from vendors consequently becomes a huge issue."
If you don't want to confront the vendors then just trash the plants and if too many plants from a vendor arrive virused then stop buying from that vendor.

Can I ask what was about Phal. schilleriana that made you test it? only the lack of vigor, or other signs?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Tardie

Can I ask what was about Phal. schilleriana that made you test it? only the lack of vigor, or other signs?

You’ve jumped into an 8-year old thread. David hasn’t posted here in a long time.

[Tardie]

Yes, I've seen it, thank you. Just wanted to try because I have possible virus trouble .