Contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and let them deal with it. Normally they will be out within a few days.

I agree. Contact the Dept of Agriculture and let them deal with it. I have a similar problem with 2 local nurseries that have had HVX for the last several years. When i spoke to one of the owners about it she seemed more annoyed with me than the fact that she was selling virus infected plants. Both places continued to sell them. Needless to say I no longer patronize either place.

two year ago at a large nursery near me, i sought out the manager and told him all about HVX since many of their hostas were clearly infected. he gave me his time and appreciated the information, but had a rather defeatist attitude because, he said, given the size of their inventory and the vast number and variety of trees, shrubs, houseplants, grasses, roses, vegetables, annuals and perennials they dealt with, it was simply impossible to keep up with every new blight and disease that came along.

last year i was browsing there and noticed many infected plants again. this year i won't be shopping there - it's too frustrating to see what is really an excellent section but not want to risk buying even those that appear healthy.

at another smaller garden store i once dropped off several pages of HVX information that i'd printed from the internet.

i guess given a choice i'd rather the dept of ag was spending its time looking out for salmonella and e-coli rather than diseases of decorative plants, so that's why i've never gone further than speaking with people in the nursery itself.

Dept of ag would be a good choice ... unless you live in Iowa. Budget cuts have taken a toll, and there's just not that much staff.

One could get the latest hosta Virus X information off the web or out of ZIllis, and photocopy that information. Then, armed with the information, you should ask to talk to the store manager and politely point out what the problem is. Make sure you get the right person, it doesn't pay to talk to a floor salesperson, ask for a supervisor.

After the conversation, give them the flyer.

I've done this at several box stores. Some care. Those that didn't will never see my dollars again.

I know it's not much help. Many times though, if folks are truly interested in their jobs  not just a pay check  they'll take time to listen. They like to see happy people.

in the FWIW category (For What It's Worth)

^ _ ^

dkB

I was on a major tear last year about HVX and mostly people I spoke with in nurserys looked at me like I was a freak.

Silly Me, in most states, e.coli and salmonella are handled by the state's Department of Public Health.

Diseases of plants and food animals are handled by the Department of Ag.

Of course, sometimes they work together, as when a contaminated harvest starts making people sick.

Anyway, hostas are a cash crop and you shouldn't feel bad about asking your state's Dept of Ag to get in there and do the right thing. Nobody wins if people quit buying hostas because the available stock is diseases and a waste of money. :(