If it were me, I'd want to know. That doesn't mean I'd necessarily do anything about it or what to do about it, for that matter. But I'd want to know.

The same holds true for any plant. If you're in my garden and notice some infestation, I want you to tell me. I don't always notice or know.

I always speak up when I see HVX...so I can sleep at night. It is a very serious problem and the word needs to be spread. You did the right thing.

- Babka

I talk to total strangers about hvx in garden centres...I think it's a good idea to educate people since a lot of them are in the dark about this virus.

Thanks everyone. I feel better now. I did hear back from the person with the infected plant. She said she had her suspicions about it.

I have spoken up many times already this year. About 4 garden centers with mixed results. A few weeks ago I was on a local garden tour and kind of gaged how things were going as the conversation progressed. She appreciated knowing. Yesterday at a garden center I found a really bad case and pointed it out to the salesperson and he was really interested and pulled the affected hostas right away. I think you did the right thing. You don't always find that someone really cares but at least you tried.

I've told this story before, but it's been a while. I'll make it as brief as I can.

I saw some hosta labeled Forbidden Fruit at a local Lowe's. They had obvious bleeding in the veins. They really looked ugly.

Someone on the forum was upset with me that I said Forbidden Fruit had HVX as it would ruin the reputation of the "breeder", so I went back and bought one. While I was there, I told the store manager and he had the hosta pulled.

I went home and took photos of my HVX infected hosta, along with the tag that said "Forbidden Fruit". Chris informed me that it wasn't Forbidden Fruit, but Paul's Glory and that it wasn't HVX, but stress.

I went back and apologized to the store manager and told him of my mistake. I'm now very careful to know what I'm talking about before I spout an opinion on the health of a plant. That grower has not ever returned to Lowe's (that I've seen in this area). I probably cost him a good account.

bk

My "HVX infected Forbidden Fruit"

There are a lot of other viruses around, some create similar effects on leaves as HVX does. So I would only say that a hosta has HVX, if you have a positive Agdia HVX test result. I thought this year one plant had HVX, ran the Agdia test result of which was negative, so it was probably another virus or late effects of the cold spring. Some other viruses clear up.

I don't see the obvious vein bleeding in your photo Bkay, as the color splotchiness is between the veins and not coming from the vein line as it does a lot with HVX. The test strips are the only way to know for sure, and I suppose the best advice you can give someone is "That plant looks as if it might have some problems" and tell them where to get info.

Edit: Bkay, you can probably relax and not feel guilty...I very seriously doubt that one complaint from one customer at a big box operation like Lowe's would cancel a contract. I had very little luck with a local chain, even though the manager seemed to be interested in the brochure I handed him while pointing to his virused Gold Standards that matched the photos exactly.

-Babka

bkay: I wondered about my Paul's Glory too. It just does that and is the only one of mine with that look.

That was 2012. I think I saw HVX everywhere. I am able to discern stress and iron chlorosis fairly well now.

BUT, I have since bought a Royal Standard that showed HVX the next season. I tested it.

I've seen Royal Standard infected with HVX from that same grower since. And I complained. I do not frequent that nursery nor do I buy plants from that grower. I always ask the origin of the plants.

bk