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Virus Question

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Alan, Nov 12, 2012.

  1. Nov 12, 2012 #1
    Alan

    Alan New Member

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    Longwood, FL
    I know the importance of cleanliness and sterilization to prevent virus spred/contamination in one's orchid collection, but out of curiosity, can anyone tell me how long an orchid virus could live on non-living material such as cutting devices/potting medium/bamboo supports/wire, etc.? Is it hours/days/weeks? I assume somewhere someone surely must by now have conducted some sort of testing and collection of said data.
     
  2. Nov 13, 2012 #2
    lepetitmartien

    lepetitmartien Active Member

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    Location:
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    Fungus spores and bacteria spores can last a very long time. That's the job of spores…
    A living bacteria can last in the case of Pectobacterium chrysanthemi (Erwinia)
    - 10 days on infected part of Phals detached of the plant
    - 20 days on weeds around
    - 45 days on healthy Phal leaves
    - 60 days on sphagnum…
    (source Dr Huang's Orchid disease control pdf)


    For viruses:
    ORSV can stand being ex vivo ten years.
    CyMV is less resistant but still is (no data more clear)
    (source Dr Chin An Chan's Orchid Viruses pdf)

    The pdfs are available on the STAUG website. (among others)
     
  3. Nov 14, 2012 #3
    Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Great question, great answer! Thanks.
     
    lepetitmartien likes this.