How can I tell if my plant is virused?
You need to send a leaf sample to a laboratory that does plant virus testing, and even with testing you can only be reasonably sure it’s okay for those viruses expressing epitopes the antibodies used in the assay were created against (assuming some sort of serologic assay is used, the most common type), or if it tests positive. The most commonly encountered viruses, and therefore those which are tested for most frequently, are CyMV, ORSV and BYMV. BYMV can be tested for using a Potyvirus specific monoclonal antibody, so this assay would potentially pick up any other Potyviruses present (several have been uncommonly isolated from orchids). If you suspect your plant is virused, but are unable to have it tested, it is advisable to place this plant where its run off water will not fall into another plant below it. If you handle the plant, do so as the last item on your days’ agenda, and wash your hands thoroughly after handling it. If you need to pot this plant into a bigger pot, wash and
