Orchid Virus Immunostrip RESULTS

About a year ago, and as a direct result of my previous post on this blog regarding my orchid losses, I was contacted by a representative at Agdia Inc. After reading about my experience with an unknown pathogen ravaging some of my orchids, the rep generously offered me 5 free samples of Immunostrip test strips. The strips test for two of the most common orchid viral diseases: CymMV (Cymbidium Mosaic Virus) and ORSV (Ondontoglossum ringspot virus) which are the most problematic and prevalent viruses in cultivated orchids.

Here are the results for 4 of the tests:
#1
Plant tested: Miltonidium "Isaku Nagata"
symptoms: brown spots on leaves
results: negative for both viruses


#2
Plant tested: Oncidium "Sharry Baby"
symptoms: brown spots on leaves with streaks and sunken areas, yellowing
results: negative for both viruses

#3
Plant tested: Brassia Rex
symptoms: brown spots on leaves
results: negative for both viruses

#4
Plant tested: Oncidium "Sweet Sugar"
symptoms: brown spots on leaves with streaks and sunken areas, yellowing
results: negative for ORSV
            positive for CymMV
-this plant was immediately destroyed and disposed of.

The Immunostrip tests strips can be purchased through Agdia's website and costs 120$ for 25 test strips and 32$ for 5 test strips (see https://orders.agdia.com/InventoryD.asp?loc=IN&collection=ISK 13301&attribute_Size=25 ) . The instructions provided are adequate and I found the test easy enough to use but had some difficulty determining the required sample size for different types of leaf thickness only because I lacked a scale that could measure 0.15 grams of leaf tissue.
I would love to test all of my plants but unfortunately, find the tests a bit too pricey for my "hobby" collection.

I am reserving my last and final test for the only affected phalaenopsis that survived  (had exhibited  symptoms of viral disease about 18 months ago).  The orchid has since stopped showing any signs of the disease in the new growth.  The plants that tested negative above, still show some varying degree of brown spotting with one plant almost no longer showing any signs on the new growths.

To learn more about orchid viruses and the ImmunsoStrip test strips, visit Agdia at www.agdia.com