Virus testing becomes user friendly?? - Orchid Board

Oscarman · #1 08-11-2005, 04:30 PM

So here I am browsing the internet......, well actually I was looking for info on Phyton 27 and a source for it in Canada. Anyway I come across a product called Agdia ImmunoStrips™ distributed by a company called PlantProducts. Some of you will know then as Plant-Prod! They have user friendly test kits that will test for some plant viruses, including Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) and Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV). These viruses afflict orchids, I wonder if these tests work for orchids?

Have a look
http://www.plantprod.com/EN/catalogu...Diagnosis.html

Has anyone ever had to have plants tested for virus? Anyway, I thought it was very interesting - being the curious type.

Of course if you purchase virus free plants, practice perfect personal and equipment sanitation and never have infestations of plant sucking pests - then you may never encounter an orchid afflicted with a virus!

Not really sure if I have ever encountered one either! :?

nancy · #2 10-11-2005, 06:03 PM

Hi Dave -
Every few years, I collect a few samples from Cattleya alliance plants and send them off for testing. The only place I've ever used is Critter Creek Labs - they e-mail you the results in a file. I think from the time I send the samples off via priority mail, I get the results within a week.
I do think some virused plants are asymptomatic. The first time I sampled, I took pieces of a few 'suspect' plants, also from my 3-4 oldest plants (divided many many times), and 3-4 randomly chosen plants.
The results surprised me, somewhat. 2 'suspect' plants both tested positive. All the plants I've had for 20+ years tested negative. One of my randomly chosen plants tested positive. So, I ashcanned all the positive ones. The random plant bloomed regularly, grew well and was completely without symptoms. BUT...my growing area is outside, and with so many ants and other varmints crawling over my plants, I thought it wise.
I became/continue to be pretty 'anal' about hygiene when dividing and repotting. Torch cutter between slices, wear disposable latex gloves, sterilize all pots in bleach and/or self-cleaning oven, never re-use mix, labels, stakes, etc. without disinfecting.
Some people are pretty laissez-faireabout this stuff; I don't take divisions from such people. Nicely refused, of course.
Regards - Nancy

nancy · #3 10-11-2005, 06:05 PM

How come we have the little icons for 'bold' 'italic' etc., if they don't work?
I just get these weird bracketed things!

Oscarman · #4 10-11-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nancy

How come we have the little icons for 'bold' 'italic' etc., if they don't work?
I just get these weird bracketed things!

I am not sure, I tried to do the same as you and it worked when I prefiewed my message!! :?
I just get these weird bracketed things!

Hey, I think I just figured it out.....you need to have a space after the weird bracketed things. Both places that it did not work for you, you do not have a space after the.

I am sure Marty will see your message - it would be quicker in "Forum Feedback"

Oscarman · #5 10-11-2005, 06:28 PM

I am with you Nancy. Virus prevention if serious stuff. Considerable $$ can be lost due to lack of sanitary procedures. I don't even allow water from one pot to contact other plants or potting media.

Are you using a new pair of gloves per plant? I have been using those retractable utility knives that have the snap off blades and torching them between cuts. They are fairly cheap ($1.00 each), but don't hold up to the heat over time. Are you using shears/bypass cutters/pruners etc? How do they hold up for you?

nancy · #6 10-13-2005, 05:59 PM

Hi again Dave -
Yes, I change gloves each plant - Sam's Club has double packs of 100 gloves in each (and they have *small*!) for less than $10, so it's a penny a pair.
I got an aluminum folding blade handle at Lowes' or HD - made by Sheffield, holds those trapezoid-shaped blades. Between cuts I torch the blade with a butane mini-torch (also from L/HD) that can also be used for micro-welding. Can't do enough of that.
Anyway, I flame the blade until it glows; handle doesn't conduct heat.
Probably nothing is foolproof, but all these precautions are cheap and easy once you get used to doing them. Compared to the cost of a nice plant?
At least if I find a diseased plant/s, I can blame someone else (the dawg) for it, not myself.
Regards - Nancy