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Where to buy HVX test strips

12 years ago

In 2008 I found this forum and first read about HVX. All my hostas then were from big box stores, I stopped buying from there after reading about HVX.

In 2009 we dug up one of my earlier hostas because I suspected HVX, didn't know for sure, but it was a cheap oldie.

Now this year I am suspicious of a few that was growing close to the one we dug up. They were planted in 2008 and are more expensive ones, not from big box stores. I don't want to dig until I know for sure. Are the test strips accurate and are they expensive?

I'm thinking we will be digging but one is a favorite, Brother Stefan.

Thanks, Judy

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Comments (5)

Babka NorCal 9b
12 years ago
Follow the link. This is from the Hosta Library front page.

-Babka

Here is a link that might be useful: HVX Test Strips
joebar
12 years ago
man those are pricey...
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User
12 years ago
I'll resurrect this thread, because it has the link in it. And, I am thinking before I put anything (besides the three original hostas I purchased last year) into the ground, I want to know all is well.

Anyone have suggestions for how to perform the tests other than read the directions?

The first of my orders begins arriving next week. Have to get busy busy.
Steve Massachusetts
12 years ago
Mocassin,

If you are getting plants from Naylor or Bob Solberg or other trusted online sources you do not need to test them. If you have some from a Big Box Store or neighborhood nursery then you might want to use the test trips. Here's a tutorial. It's pretty simple.

Steve

Here is a link that might be useful: Testing Positive
User
12 years ago
Steve, I know it seemed to be precipitated by my recent orders, with Naylor Creek being the latest source of my plants.

However, it was due to the three original hosta that I bought from Lowes that bring thoughts of HVX to mind. While I still have ONLY three in the ground, I figured it best to test the area near them. No local gardens sell hosta in Mobile, to my knowledge. To test those three should not require a big investment now, but if it spread later on, I'd be in trouble.

A little preventive maintenance.

Take a look at the other thread I just started, about Hosta 'Eternal Father' and HVX and the Hostapedia. I wasn't LOOKING for HVX but when I saw that picture of the plant, it grabbed me....and there was the virus x.

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