Dudes and duds, so insect and airborne mold, is easy to figure out. But how does the viroids transmit to a new plant? I got some plants from Jr. he is getting samples tested for viroids. And told me to quarantine until the results came back. So it got me thinking. In the past I guess I just kind of looked at it like body fluid transmission. So I always use clean razor blades. But I don’t even know if that’s how they would transfer. So what up? How do we get the STDs? Sharing transmitted diseases lol.
Contaminated pruning blades are how diseases are transferred.
What if…. I wear a condom when I go in?
Usually mechanical transmission. Scissors, tools, ect.
Most are spread via the sap to open wounds. Trimming with the same scissors, using the same razor for clones, dipping clones in the same gel, or even sharing a cloner.
This can also be transmitted via gloves, hand, or clothing when leaf stripping. Depending upon virus or viroid, you can get sap on your hands, touch a door knob, someone else touches the knob shortly after and then continues leaf stripping. Sounds a bit wild, but it is possible. Transmission risks vary.
Have a separate set of tools for these suspects and also do all of your normal garden work before coming and working on these. Change gloves or wash your hands well in-between.
Insects can also be vectors.
Haaa The cloning gel! And the trays of rock wool! I didn’t think of that whole Petrie dish! Fungus gnats…..
This may sound foolish…….. Iv kinda missed the STDs I used to share with my two “mentors”. Since they went outta businesses. Everything been going so smoothly, I can’t even battle my outdoor bugs. I have so many beneficials that I cannot interfere with. Can you even argue with a viroid? They seem undaunted by humans.
Plant covid