Purchased from Orchids.com - Need Advice

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have heard the same thing (re: viruses).

If a plant you want is available anywhere else, I would go with a different vendor. There are many, many good ones that do care about providing quality plants..

[La Casa de las Orquideas]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I know I feel guilty, but there was this one plant that I really wanted but no one else had it in the US. also, I wanted to try megathrive and they had it.
So I placed an order. I got this particular plant (expensive but would have worth the money if it was good), one more plant that is common ( but was offered cheap, so I got it) , and megathrive.

Hi NYCorchidman!

If you ever need Megathrive or any orchid supply, check us out! We are profesional and thorough with all our orders and we are super friendly
Megathrive in stock!!

[MrsH530]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

As if that weren't bad enough many people have had orchids purchased from them test positive for mosaic virus. I'm pretty sure they are aware they are selling virused plants. They just don't give a rats ass.

Ok, this has me seriously worried. How do I know if my plant is virused?

[james mickelso]

Don't worry about it. Virus' shows up as color break on some orchids but most show no outward signs. It's an overblown issue that most of us don't need to worry about.

[MrsH530]

So it won't be a harm to my other plants?

[james mickelso]

If you need to you can get them all tested for virus at labs around the US. Someone here has the addy. If you have irreplaceable orchids or a large collection, I wouldn't worry about it.

[sweetjblue]

MrsH530

If your worried about virus you may want to check this thread out. Gives not only a lab where you could send a sample but also the link as to where to get test strips to do at home. Cost for the strip is about $5 each.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...munostrip.html

Judi

[quiltergal]

If you do have a virused plant and you practice perfect culture (sterilize cutting tools between use on different plants, no sharing water etc.) then the virus should not pass from one plant to another. That said eventually the plant will begin to fail. As Judi said the only way to know for sure is to test.

My feeling is when you spend what Orchids.com is asking for plants you should be assured of getting a healthy plant in all ways.

[james mickelso]

Yet I have cattleyas and laelias which I am positive have virus and they bloom and are very vigorous. the blooms exhibit color break which I have posted pictures here before so folks know what it looks like. Some virus are deadly and most are benign. I have one cattleya that has some form of ring spot virus and it blooms beautifully every year. The leaves are awful looking but it still blooms. The immune strips are easy to use but not always accurate.

[NYCorchidman]

It's not about just virused plants, but we are talking about "professional" growers (whether knowingly or not) selling virused plants, and how they deal with the customers's complain.
They have been known to be, what should I say, a bit spicy. lol

Also, since you mentioned, while the virus testing is not 100% (is there such thing??), it is nearly close to that, which makes it quite reliable.

The major problems with virus is not just the decline or demise of individual plants, but the fact that it is not curable once infected and it spreads via improper handling and growing practice as well as other factors, but mostly man caused.

I do not want to see ugly leaves or flowers caused by virus or anything else in that regard.

Now, growing virused plants is an option, BUT in case you give them away to others, then it becomes a big problem.

Having virused plants around and dealing and handling with them for a long time, you sure have them basically everywhere in your growing space, and who knows where else. your hands, clothes...

I just do not want them and want to keep them to the minimum possible.

But again, we are talking about Norman's Orchids/Orchids.com here, so let's not make this thread into different opinions on keeping virused plants.