Several methods of testing for the
presence of the more common viruses
have been available to the amateur
orchid grower for a number of years:
the Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent
Assay (ELISA) test that is performed
by several laboratories across the
country, the Double Radial Diffusion
test, and, of course, the indicator plant
that shows the presence of virus by
the development of necrotic lesions
when inoculated by a virus. Of these,
the ELISA test has been the most
popular and is widely used by
commercial laboratories. The time
required to take a sample, send it to
the lab and get results back is not
practical for doing a spot test on a
suspect plant in the nursery, as is
waiting on the results from an indicator
plant or the Double Radial Diffusion
test