Opinions on viruses

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Roberta

SP, if you make a division of a virused plant, both pieces will be virused. It's systemic, not local. If you have a vector that might be infecting some plants and not others (the primary vector has two legs, a clippers, and sometimes takes shortcuts "just this once...") maybe it would help to have a "spare". But in general, two virused plants is no better than one, and probably worse because of space considerations. Also pretty hard to divide a plant without handling it... making many more places to spread the juices.

Roberta ------ that's why I put quotes around 'assumed'. If there really happen to be no virus in that divided plant, then making a back-up is good. I purposely put quotes on it.

And I also did mention favourites ----- or particular plants that you might care for ------ more than others (but sure --- we love all orchids, but we know what we mean here).

On the other hand ----- regardless of how much or how limited our grow space is ------ if we don't make a back-up (like a data back-up, and assuming the data is/was just fine to begin with) ...... then whatever happens in case of an incident 'could' be our own fault. In which case, we would just have to live with it and handle it.

[sam1147]

Just a point : You may keep the right distance between your plants and keep always sterilizing your tools. BUT you can NOT control pests ,insects ,flies and such from visiting your plants.
Amazing how much we are ready to pay for our orchids and all their needs/supplements but 5$ for testing one is much too much.
BEWARE !!

[SouthPark]

Sam does have a good point there. For the outdoor or semi-outdoor orchid growers (and even some indoor ones) ------ there is certainly the chance of orchids still getting a virus ----- somehow, such as from a bug/insect or something.

And then there's timing too. Such as - if a bug bites a leaf and puts a virus in, and we do a virus test on some other leaf 10 minutes later or so. Then (assuming hypothetically the test is robust and reliable) ....... the test would come out negative ----- because the virus hasn't had enough time to get around the whole plant yet.

And is it true that some tests produce false-positives? And are there any tests that produce false negatives?

I think that if a home-grower can afford it, and has time for it etc, then definitely ------ go for it with occasional testing, and applying safe growing practices etc.

But I do agree that for outdoor growing - there's certainly chances for virus to sneak in anyway. So with 5 dollar a pop for testing ------ could use that to buy more orchids (or something else).

Very very very importantly ------ these are opinions only ------ not for swaying or influencing. Going with own instincts, and knowing the various views is certainly ok.