The symptom I have noticed with a high correlation to positive virus testing is what the pediatricians call failure to thrive. The plant sits around for months or years without doing anything. Doesn't die, but doesn't grow either. I send a batch of leaves to Critter Creek about once a year or so, due to their quantity discount. Of ten samples, one or two usually test positive. It is often a plant from a well known nursery that I haven't had long enough for it to get infected here. There are quite a few nurseries that I won't buy from because it has happened too often.
If I have ever gotten a false positive, I wouldn't know it because I threw the plant out. I suspect I may occasionally get a false negative because the plant has not been infected long enough. If so, it will turn up positive sooner or later. Otherwise, if the plant continues to have suspicious symptoms, I assume it has some other disease & throw it out anyway. I agree with Tom Hillson; I can't be bothered.
Iris
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