Virus?! - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Izzie · #11 03-15-2010, 09:48 PM

Could I get virus test supplies at a big box store or do I have to order them online?

Paul · #12 03-15-2010, 10:43 PM

BBS's will not carry such a thing. You could mail samples to be tested to Critter Creek Labs (if you go to their website they will give you instructions on sample size needed, etc.) You can also order test kits from Agdia. Cost winds up being about the same. I've never used the kits personally but understand they are quite easy to use.

Izzie · #13 03-15-2010, 11:04 PM

What should I be doing in the mean time?

Tom-DE · #14 03-16-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Izzie

What should I be doing in the mean time?

Isolate those plants untill you get back the test result.

To confirm it is virus, you have to send in the plant material for virus test... It looks more like fungal problem though.

cowboy51278 · #15 03-16-2010, 09:50 AM

I use dyna gro fertilizers and they have a supplimental fertilizer called Pro Tekt. It can be used either with the Growth formula or on its own. Its silica based. There have been some studies to suggest that silica helps strengthen cell walls to keep fungus and bacteria from invading the cell and stop its spread. It maybe be something you can use to help outgrow the problem. If your worried about a virus, send some plant material off to get tested.

orkie · #16 03-16-2010, 06:47 PM

I am not sure about the Onc., but I have an Epidendrum that gets very similar spotting, it's very ugly, but seems to be fungal and quite common on a lot of Epidendrums (I did some googling when I got mine and it comes up a lot about how hard it is to control). Doing virus testing wouldn't hurt, but for the Epi I would suggest a fan to keep air moving around it and never ever letting it get water on the leaves if possible. It's stopped the spotting on mine 95%.

camille1585 · #17 03-16-2010, 06:55 PM

The onc does look like it's virused, but for the others I'm far from being convinced, and would have to agree with the others that those likely have something else going on.

Izzie · #18 03-16-2010, 07:15 PM

I think I'll be sending the onc. to orchid heaven. I just don't have the time and money for her right now, and have more expensive plants that I'd like to protect.
$2 orchid was fun for a couple years.

I'm glad to hear that the epid. spotting is somewhat common, I guess I'll keep spraying with cinnamon.

Izzie · #19 03-16-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cowboy51278

I use dyna gro fertilizers and they have a supplimental fertilizer called Pro Tekt. It can be used either with the Growth formula or on its own. Its silica based. There have been some studies to suggest that silica helps strengthen cell walls to keep fungus and bacteria from invading the cell and stop its spread. It maybe be something you can use to help outgrow the problem. If your worried about a virus, send some plant material off to get tested.

That's fascinating! I will definitely see if can get some cheap.
Is dyna gro comparable to the MSU fertilizers?

cowboy51278 · #20 03-16-2010, 07:22 PM

My theory is that fertilizer is like our lunch. Some days I want pizza, some days I want cereal..... just depends on my mood. So I switch up my fertilizers. I use the Dyna Gro Growth, Bloom, Cal Mag and suppliment some Pro Tekt every once in while. As well as use the MSU Formula. I used to use MSU only, I have had much better results by switching things up. Just seems to be what works for me.