First time dealing with possible virus.

[camille1585]

I do hope that you'll find a way to get the plant tested, virus infection is so hard to prove otherwise, especially with so many other diseases that have similar symptoms.

I went on the Agdia website (they make immuno test strips for CMV+ORSV) and found the list of distributors in Mexico. Agdia International Distributors
With the bit of Spanish that I know, I saw that the second one (fumaplant.com) has that test strip in their catalogue. No idea if they sell to individuals, nor the prices.

I had a bunch of Phals with very similar spotting, that appeared year after year. I was quite certain it was virus, likely ORSV or CMV. Having the luxury of working at an institute with a plant disease diagnostic labs, last year I had 7 plants tested for 7 different viruses that commonly affect orchids. All came back negative, and further testing concluded that it was fungal (but no ID).

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I've thought about this a lot. I have a plant of this (originally from Ray) that gets terrible care. It doesn't have, and has never had, a single leaf spot. I forget to water it, I put it in too much sun, it gets low humidity, a rat bit into it.

I doubt your indoor humidity is very high in the winter; I recall México City being quite dry in winter. So I would keep it segregated. Maybe you can find some virus test strips eventually, either in México or another country.

Oh, now I'm back to paranoia haha. It is now segregated, and I'll check if our local orchid society or our national university has access to virus test strips.

---------- Post added at 10:17 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:16 AM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

I do hope that you'll find a way to get the plant tested, virus infection is so hard to prove otherwise, especially with so many other diseases that have similar symptoms.

I went on the Agdia website (they make immuno test strips for CMV+ORSV) and found the list of distributors in Mexico. Agdia International Distributors
With the bit of Spanish that I know, I saw that the second one (fumaplant.com) has that test strip in their catalogue. No idea if they sell to individuals, nor the prices.

I had a bunch of Phals with very similar spotting, that appeared year after year. I was quite certain it was virus, likely ORSV or CMV. Having the luxury of working at an institute with a plant disease diagnostic labs, last year I had 7 plants tested for 7 different viruses that commonly affect orchids. All came back negative, and further testing concluded that it was fungal (but no ID).

That's so helpful! Thank you, Camille!

[marcmaubert]

I sent mails to a lot of different vendors, and one already replied. It would be 80 dollars (almost 90 with shipping) for 5 test kits. Is that a fair price?

[Nexogen]

How much does it cost to buy a new plant and forget about it?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by Nexogen

How much does it cost to buy a new plant and forget about it?

It could cost a lot if it turns out to be an undiagnosed virus which infects a whole collection.

[Nexogen]

I know it's a lot more expensive if it's in an eventual treatment. When I said to forget about this plant, I was thinking of throwing it in the garbage and forget about it.

[Maryanne]

Hello Folks:

Coming back to this virus issue...
I used Critter Creek for virus testing a few years ago.
The cost was lower per plant for CC when comparing to Agdia test kits. $4 or 5 per plant compared with about $7 to 8 for the Agdia test kits that you have to do yourself. (based on the small number of plants I would test)

The CC test results showed that a few of the tested plants were virused, and I tossed them. : -(

I am now considering testing again but I am wondering which to go with this time around.

In the past, and on a different forum (I think) I saw an opinion about CC that implied they weren't the best choice, but gave no reason. hmmm? Does anyone know why this would be?
Roberta? if you're reading this, please weigh in on it, if you can. I always appreciate your insight.

Looking forward to more forum members' input as well.

Thanks for your attention!
Happy (virus-free) growing,
Maryanne in New England

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by Maryanne

Hello Folks:

Coming back to this virus issue...
I used Critter Creek for virus testing a few years ago.
The cost was lower per plant for CC when comparing to Agdia test kits. $4 or 5 per plant compared with about $7 to 8 for the Agdia test kits that you have to do yourself. (based on the small number of plants I would test)

The CC test results showed that a few of the tested plants were virused, and I tossed them. : -(

I am now considering testing again but I am wondering which to go with this time around.

In the past, and on a different forum (I think) I saw an opinion about CC that implied they weren't the best choice, but gave no reason. hmmm? Does anyone know why this would be?
Roberta? if you're reading this, please weigh in on it, if you can. I always appreciate your insight.

Looking forward to more forum members' input as well.

Thanks for your attention!
Happy (virus-free) growing,
Maryanne in New England

I ended up not checking for virus. I found some Agdia resellers in Mexico, but the price for a kit was almost 50 dollars. It's not worth it for a 15 dollar orchid, I'd rather buy 3 more orchids and some pots. It's still growing outside, far from the other orchids, but it's now looking worse (it's raining heavily here, and that poor orchid has been soaking wet all the time for weeks now).

[camille1585]

Separating it from the others sounds like a good move. I had a bunch of plants looking like that, tested them and they came back negative for all 6 viruses I tested for. I increased the air movement and tossed the worsdt affected ones, and the problem seems resolved, so it was likely bacterial or fungal.

What a shame you aren't in Europe, I would have told you to send me a leaf to have it tested where I work....

[marcmaubert]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Separating it from the others sounds like a good move. I had a bunch of plants looking like that, tested them and they came back negative for all 6 viruses I tested for. I increased the air movement and tossed the worsdt affected ones, and the problem seems resolved, so it was likely bacterial or fungal.

What a shame you aren't in Europe, I would have told you to send me a leaf to have it tested where I work....

Thank you anyway, you're so kind! I think it is bacterial or fungal too, but the rain is not helping it get better.