Check incoming plants for virus disease symptoms

Growers are being reminded to inspect incoming cuttings for symptoms of tobacco mosaic virus on calibrachoa and other members of the vegetatively propagated petunia family. Mich. St. Univ. senior extension horticulture and marketing educator Tom Dudek tells growers to look for mosaic/mottle patterns and stunting. Leaf deformation can also be noted early on.
Sanitation is critical since the virus is spread by human handling or plant sap on cutting knives. Dudek reminds growers to disinfect cutting propagation tools and to wash their hands in warm soapy water.
Growers can obtain specific information about dealing with the virus from the Ohio St. Univ. article “Virus Diseases of Greenhouse Floral Crops”. Dudek said if growers suspect they have a virus problem, they should submit plant samples to a diagnostic lab for positive identification or use a rapid diagnostic kit from Agdia Inc.