• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Critter Creek Laboratory

Critter Creek Laboratory

Orchid Testing Lab

  • Home
  • FAQs
  • About Plant Viruses
    • Viruses and Orchids
    • Examples of Leaves and Flowers of Virus Infected Plants
    • Some basic ideas for prevention or at least control of plant virus infections
    • Some reagents for sanitizing/sterilizing:
  • Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQ’s are broken down into two groups, the first being About Our Services, the second being about Viruses In General

About Our Services

How Do I start using your services?

What is ELISA?

How many different viruses are there that infect orchids?

Why do you only test for Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV) in your Greenhouse Screening Program?

Why is Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) in a separate test?

What is a poty-virus?

Are there any other orchid viruses in the poty-virus group?

Can you test for other viruses?

Can you test plants from any state?

Can viruses be eliminated from an infected plant i.e. can the plant be cured of the disease?

Viruses in general

How does a virus get into my collection?

After infection how long will it be before symptoms appear?

Do virus-infected plants always show symptoms?

Are the virus particles found only in the tissue showing symptoms

How can a virus get from an infected plant into a healthy one?

If I think a plant has might have been handled in such a manner so as to become infected, how long should I wait before having it tested?

If roots from an infected plant grow into the pot of another plant could that one become infected?

Do CymMV or ORSV infect many genera of orchids?

What is TMV-O ?



If you don’t see your question on this list, or these questions do not answer your question, submit it Here. Because if you’re wondering, someone else is too!

About our testing service

How do I start using your testing services?

It is best to phone us first so we may assist you in the testing best suited to your needs. Alternatively e-mail or write us.
Top of Page | Home

What is ELISA?

ELISA is a serological method used to detect pathogens. It is used extensively in medicine as well as plant health. It is an extremely sensitive and accurate method.
Top of Page | Home

How many different viruses are there that infect orchids?

There are about 40. Twelve new ones have been identified in the last few years.
Top of Page | Home

Why do you only test for Cymbidium Mosaic Virus (CymMV) and Odontoglossum Ringspot Virus (ORSV) in your Greenhouse Screening Program?

CymMV and ORSV are the viruses most commonly found in orchids.
Top of Page | Home

What is a poty-virus?

Poty-virus refers to a group of related viruses named after the key virus of that group, Potato Virus Y. This is a large group of viruses characterized by among other things, being aphid transmitted. BYMV is a member of this group.
Top of Page | Home

Are there any other orchid viruses in the poty-virus group?

Twelve or so of the recently discovered viruses are in this group as are and several others that were already known. The antibodies we use to detect BYMV will also detect these.
Top of Page | Home

Can you test for other viruses?

Yes. Which viruses and the cost could best be discussed by phone or e-mail.
Top of Page | Home

Can you test plants from any state?

Yes. We have tested plants from most states including Hawaii and Alaska and the territory of Puerto Rico- also from Canada, various Caribbean republics, and occasionally Europe.
Top of Page | Home

Why is Bean Yellow Mosaic Virus (BYMV) in a separate test?

BYMV is not nearly as widely distributed as the other two and was originally limited to Masdevallias. This incidence of infection happened about 25 years ago. The problem was discovered fairly quickly and steps taken to limit its spread. It is still around though limited in incidence compared to the number of CymMV or ORSV infections.
Top of Page | Home

Can viruses be eliminated from an infected plant i.e. can the plant be cured of the disease?

At the present time, no. There is research ongoing (always!) in this area.
Top of Page | Home


Viruses in general

How does a virus get into my collection?

Viruses are most likely introduced from an infected plant you have added to your range.
Top of Page | Home

After infection how long will it be before symptoms appear?

This depends on the genetic make up of the plant and the virus involved, but it usually takes between two weeks and two months. The virus actually starts to replicate within a few hours and may be detected serologically before symptoms appear.
Top of Page | Home

Do virus-infected plants always show symptoms?

No. Some plants may be symptom less carriers. Sometimes optimum growing conditions may help to mask symptoms.
Top of Page | Home

Are the virus particles found only in the tissue showing symptoms?

No. Virus particles tend to move with the nutrient flow within the plant, so they are usually found in actively growing leaves or flowers as well.
Top of Page | Home

How can a virus get from an infected plant into a healthy one?

Usually when sap from an infected plant gets into some type of wound on the healthy plant, or by insect transmission with certain viruses such as Poty-viruses.
Top of Page | Home

If I think a plant might have been handled in such a manner so as to become infected, how long should I wait before having it tested?

Well, first you isolate the plant, and then test in four to six weeks.
Top of Page | Home

If roots from an infected plant grow into the pot of another plant could that one become infected?

It is possible. Depends upon a lot of factors. Transmission does not happen first time, every time .
Top of Page | Home

Do CymMV or ORSV infect many genera of orchids?

It has been reported that CymMV infects over fifty genera and ORSV over twenty.
Top of Page | Home

What is TMV-O?

The virus ORSV was originally called the orchid strain of Tobacco Mosaic Virus thus the designation TMV-O.
Top of Page | Home

Primary Sidebar

Critter Creek Lab has permanently closed.

It is with great sadness that I’m letting you know Critter Creek Lab is closing permanently.  After 40+ years, and many changes, it is time to say goodbye.  Orchid Virus testing has changed over the years.  Even in retirement, Dr. Arthur V. Allison, kept up with current happenings in the orchid testing world.  His love of Plant Pathology and Virology kept us current for many years.  Unfortunately, he passed several years ago, and while I’m a great lab rat, and can answer many questions, I do not have his background or passion.  Also, the landscape of testing has changed, moving toward home testing.    While more expensive, home testing is much more convenient.  Without our driving force to keep us relevant in the orchid virus world, and dropping customers, it is time to bow out.  I will miss my customers, many of whom I’ve known for the 30+ years I’ve been running the company.  Take care of yourselves.

Regards, Jane Leebeck

Critter Creek Lab

Critter Creek Lab has permanently closed.

  • Home
  • Resources