Selling cmv infected orchid plants on Ebay

[Leafmite]

I see no problem with people keeping virus infected plants or selling them to those who can be trusted to handle them wisely but I do not think they should be offered to the general public.

[AnonYMouse]

And who is to determine who can be trusted?

[Orchid Whisperer]

I wouldn't buy an infected plant, and do think infected plants should not be distributed to the general public.

To play devil's advocate, there are reasons to keep Cmv plants around. If I read this paper correctly, it is possible , with difficulty, to get virus-free mericlones from Cmv plants (add in Orsv and it becomes nearly impossible). Look up this scientific paper:

"The morphogenetic capability and the viability
of regenerants in micropropagated orchid hybrids
infected with viral pathogens"

If I misunderstood the paper, let me know.

[Ben St Onge]

I have a very hard time with the idea of selling a sick plant. How do you explain to a buyer that a sick plant will not have the vigor of a healthy plant.

Flower are the real prize, virus plants will always be less on all scales and more work to keep. Not to mention you may be left with a contaminated collection in short order, now you have a big problem as well.