Skip to main content

NC State Extension

Submitting Samples From Plants in a Greenhouse

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

potted floriculture plants in a greenhouseA good sample is essential for an accurate diagnosis. Please follow these instructions carefully. The instructions on this page apply to sampling plants grown in greenhouses, either for harvest or for sale as transplants.

Related pages…

To sample for disease diagnosis

  • Roots, stems, foliage, and – if applicable – fruits should all be included.
    • Small plants: submit several plants, representing a range of symptoms.
    • Large plants: submit one or two whole plants with moderate symptoms.
    • Very large vines: submit one or two root systems, still attached to the bottom 8”-12” of the main stem(s), plus representative sections of the rest of the vine.
  • Plants can be sent in the original container (cell pack, flat, float tray, pot, or bag) or separately. Removal from the pot is often a good choice when roots have not yet filled the pot.
  • Plant foliage should be dry and planting medium should be slightly moist but not soggy. In the case of float trays, allow them to drain before shipping.
  • Take precautions so that potting media does not spill on foliage in transit. In most cases this means wrapping the root system in a plastic bag fastened loosely around the base of the stem. Do not shake off media immediately around the roots, as it protects them in transit.
  • Potting media is also used in some tests. We prefer to receive about a quart of media. If that quantity is not available around the roots, additional media can be sent in a separate bag.
  • Place the entire plant(s) in an additional plastic bag and seal. Do not add water or wet paper towels.
  • Ripe fruits and vegetables should be packed in absorbent material. They should not be bagged, unless being sent from outside of North Carolina, in which case double-bagging is required.
  • Keep samples out of the sun, preferably refrigerated, until they can be shipped or taken to the clinic.

In addition to the physical sample, a few photographs showing the symptoms of concern and their distribution in the greenhouse can be helpful to the diagnosticians. These can be uploaded to the database along with the sample information.

Pathogen detection in planting material

While we understand growers’ concern that seeds, plugs, or liners may harbor pathogens, we do not as a general rule accept samples of plants or planting material that appear to be healthy. This is for three reasons. First, there are dozens of potential pathogens, so we need the symptoms as a guide for the diagnostic process. Secondly, when pathogens are present without symptoms, they tend to be at low levels, requiring particularly sensitive screening techniques. Third, the selection of the sample is critical in those cases, to reduce the chance of a negative result that doesn’t truly reflect what’s going on in the greenhouse or nursery. If you have any specific questions about this policy, feel free to contact us at 919-515-3619 or via email at plantclinic@ces.ncsu.edu.