Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! TUMI Genomics sample collection process renders the plant material “unusable and unrecognizable” and is legally defined as agricultural waste.

The only plant tissue accepted in our testing laboratory is mature stalk. As indicated by the CSA, 21 U.S.C. § 802 (16) below, mature stalk is exempt from the definition of marijuana: "The term 'marihuana' means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin. Such term does not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.”

In addition, our sample collection process involves grinding of stalk tissue with greater than 50% glass and plastic, rendering the material unusable and unrecognizable according to to waste disposal rules in Colorado and other states (see section 3-230, E1 - https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=9900). The material sent to TUMI Genomics is legally defined as agricultural waste. The sample is also mixed on-site with a strong detergent which irreversibly binds all oils in the sample rendering them unusable.

TUMI Genomics can accept samples from anywhere in the world. We are already actively testing Hop Latent Viroid and other cannabis pathogens for growers in Canada, UK, France, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, India, Soth Africa, Peru, Armenia, etc. Fill out our “contact us” form if you would like more information about international testing.

Each plant requires a single test. We suggest that growers collect 3-4 small petiole samples and 3-4 small upper root hairs and put all the tissue in the same tube. Careful studies on this sample collection method show that there is no decrease in sensitivity on our test when multiple pieces of tissue are processed as a pool in a single collection tube. This allows a dramatic increase in accuracy for our tests.

We recommend that you test your mother plants, which are the most important plants in your process, at least every six weeks for economically damaging pathogens. Screening a subset of clones via pooled testing is also important, especially if you are suffering, or have suffered, from an outbreak. Regular, consistent testing is critical to reduce economic exposure from pathogens and to protect your investment.

What pathogens to test for depends on the type of cultivation facility you have (indoor, greenhouse, living soil, hydroponics, etc) and what kinds of symptoms you are seeing in your plants. The two most economically damaging pathogens in cannabis are hop latent viroid and fusarium, so we recommend screening for these two pathogens frequently; every six weeks is ideal. If you would like more information, see our testing panels here.

Sample tubes are shipped out within 24 hours of ordering. During checkout, you can select from various shipping speeds depending on how quickly you need the tests. Normal ground shipping in the continental United States generally takes 3-4 days.

Sample tubes last up to three months at room temperature and up to 1 year in the refrigerator. You do not have to send back all the collection tubes at once, but can send them as you test your plants.

While the sample collection process is identical, we request that customers submit individual samples for different pathogens. This allows the lab to process each sample in a way that is ideal for testing of that specific pathogen.

When ordering online just follow the instructions to pay with a credit card or with the available digital payment platforms on the ecommerce site.

If you sign up for a testing program with us, you can have access to a discounted price. Contact us to set up a testing program for your grow.

TUMI Genomics has conducted detailed experiments on how to take samples for HLVd testing in collaboration with our customers. We recommend cutting 4 to 5 small petiole sections and 2-3 top root sections. The size of the sections are small (2-3 mm in length). The idea is to take several small sections instead of few big sections. For taking the root section the best way to do it is to gently rub your finger on top of medium close to main stem until small hair-like roots appear. Pull one of these roots with your hand using gloves and before cutting small section to put into tube, remove as much dirt/medium as possible. Leaf tissue is not very predictive of infection and can reduce the sensitivity of the test due to a high concentration of inhibitors.

For fungal pathogens root tissue, especially from symptomatic areas, is the most accurate way to detect the pathogen. Foliage tissue can also be included if a systemic infection is suspected.

For an optimal sample, we request customers collect 3-4 small petiole samples from around the middle ⅔ of the plant and 3-4 top root samples near the stem. Each sample should be roughly half the length of your pinky fingernail. The goal when collecting samples isn’t to submit big pieces of tissue, but to submit many small pieces from around the plant.

An ideal sample includes 3-4 small pieces of petiole and 3-4 small pieces of upper root. All the tissue should be added to the same tube, one tube per plant.

Soil and other inert materials do not interfere with the assay. We do request that customers scrape off excess soil or growing medium from the root tissue with a paper towel or with their fingers prior to adding to the sample tube. If you have recently sprayed with sulfur please let us know.

Each collection kit comes with an extra set of stickers that match the numbers on each sample tube. Simply place the sticker with the same number as the sample to the pot of plant that samples was taken from.

Yes, we can test your growing medium for fungal and fungal-like pathogens. Contact us if you would like to discuss this type of testing.

Yes, TUMI genomics can also test seeds. The process is very similar to testing plant tissue. Contact us if you would like to submit seed samples.

No, a non-root test can still be accurate. The success rate of HLVd detection in older foliage is 75%. If you submitted 3-4 petiole samples from a positive plant, the chances of missing an infection are <1%. However, the levels of Hop Latent Viroid in foliage tissue is lower, so you are more likely to get a low-level/inconclusive result.

Ice packs are not necessary when shipping samples back to our lab. The stabilization solution included in the tube actually is more effective at higher temperatures, so sending the samples cold is not recommended.

While we encourage customers to send samples back to us as soon as possible after collection, samples are stable at room temperature for up to a week.

While refrigeration is generally not necessary if you will be keeping the samples more than a few days before sending them, refrigeration can help prolong the freshness of the tissue.

You can use any carrier (USPS, UPS, Fedex, DHL) to send samples back for testing. For international orders we recommend using UPS.

Please send your samples to:

320 East Vine Drive, Suite 129,

Fort Collins, CO

80524

Results are guaranteed to be delivered no later than 48 hours after arriving in the lab. Generally you will receive your results within 36 hours.

Your results will be sent to the email address you provided when you registered.

Each report contains a summary of the results, infection status for each sample, and the CT (cycle threshold) for each target which helps to estimate the amount of pathogen in each sample. Reports also include amplification curves from the PCR for each sample.

All of the tests run at TUMI Genomics lab are PCR tests. We perform TaqMan PCR, which has increased accuracy and sensitivity over standard PCR. All tests include an internal control in each sample as well as external controls that monitor assay performance. Our tests are extensively validated to confirm sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

TUMI Genomics assays are validated by the same standards set by the USDA and are optimized to dramatically reduce false results. We run a specialized type of PCR called TaqMan PCR, which is more sensitive and accurate than normal PCR. Each test also includes an internal control that detects cannabis RNA, which allows us to determine the quality and integrity of your sample. We have conducted extensive validation on all our assays and you can find that data here. Of course, it is important to remember that no diagnostic test, regardless of design is 100% correct, 100% of the time.

Each test includes an internal control that amplifies an RNA/DNA in all cannabis plants regardless of infection, so we can determine if your sample is of sufficient quantity and integrity to give an accurate result.

We guarantee the success of your samples. If your samples fail for any reason, we will retest a new sample at no charge.

If you have any questions about your results you can contact us by email, phone or instant message on our website. We are always happy to discuss results in more detail.

All results obtained from TUMI Genomics are strictly confidential. Your data is stored in a secure database that is not accessible to anyone but the team at TUMI Genomics and only for the purposes of processing your results. We never share individual test results with any entity other than directly with the customer who shipped us the samples. Any further analysis of data to help us improve our testing process is anonymized and aggregated so your personal data is completely protected.

If your plants test positive it is likely that you have a pathogen outbreak in your facility. The best course of action is to identify which plants are infected and remove them promptly. Diseased plants should be disposed of in a closed container and not composted. We can help you build a testing schedule specifically tailored to your results and facility size that will help you to quickly get the outbreak under control.

If your plants test negative, congratulations! However, it is important to continue screening your plant regularly. The best way to prevent damage from a future outbreak is to catch infections quickly before they spread through your facility. Similar to car insurance, you don’t cancel insurance if you don’t crash. Continually testing keeps you protected.

A low-level positive result means that the PCR test detected the pathogen in the sample, but the level was very low. This result could indicate an early infection. However, because PCR is so sensitive, very low levels can also be caused by cross-contamination during sample collection. If a low-level result is detected for a critical variety, we suggest you isolate that plant and test again in a few weeks to confirm. Results that fall into the category are indicated in blue on your report.

A failed sample means that the internal control, which looks for a part of the plant genome (a plant RNA), failed to amplify. Without robust amplification of the internal control we cannot be certain the integrity and concentration of the sample was sufficient to have been able to detect the infection. We rerun failed samples twice and guarantee that if your sample is not successful, we will run a new sample at no cost to you.

Because viroids can exist at variable levels throughout a plant, it is possible that two samples taken from different places around the same plant have drastically different amounts of viroid, such that one sample tests positive, while the other tests negative. We recommend taking 3-4 samples from older growth petioles and 3-4 samples from surface root and including them all in the same tube. Including multiple small pieces of tissue from around the plant allows the test to determine a complete picture of that plant's infection status.