Leaf and root samples (10–20 orchid samples/location) were thoroughly washed in tap water, cut into 0.5 cm 2 segments and then surface sterilized by treating in 70% alcohol for 30 seconds, a sodium hypochlorite solution (4%) for 90 seconds and sterile distilled water for one minute.
After removing the excess water, the segments were placed on Petri plates (9 cm diam.) containing Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) amended with chloramphenicol (150 mg/L)