Saw my first HVX hosta of 2010 at Menards

[Chris_W]

Hi,

Sorry to report that HVX has shown up once again this year. These were the very first hostas I have even looked at this year and sure enough, there was Hosta Virus X on Wide Brim. The grower's tag said MI West Shore, Zeeland, MI. I looked up their website and they appear to just be a broker/distributor for a group of growers, but I sent them an email and also contacted the Michigan Department of Agriculture about it. I'll report back on what they say.

Chris

[kaylyred]

That's really disappointing, Chris.

I'm looking forward to the day when I won't have to be scrutinizing every plant I see looking for signs of HVX. Thank goodness we have reliable sources like Hallson's to provide us with disease-free plants.

[Chris_W]

Ugh, I wrote the company who supplied these plants and they thanked me and said they would check into it. I filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Agriculture too.

Today I was back in Menards and they had a new shipment of hostas since then. Same supplier, even more HVX. Bad case on Wide Brim and on some Golden Tiara, in fact one of the Golden Tiara was so bad I would rate it nearly the worst case of HVX I've ever seen!

Do I write again or just keep beating my head against a wall?

[morgansrgr8]

Can I do the same here in Ohio? I visited a Greenhouse in Hartville looking for herb plants and just glanced at the hosta. I dont buy any more hosta anywhere else but at Hallsons anymore. Didnt know I could report it to anybody.

[party_music50]

No Menards here, and I don't get out much, but I've never seen HVX at nurseries around here (yeah! knock wood.). In a situation like yours, I would immediately try to discuss it with the manager of the garden center where you found it. Did you do that? You certainly have the credentials to speak with authority and you should make that clear.

Menards is the distributor at the local level, so convince the manager to stop buying from that source and have them put the pressure on. You might even become a distributor for the Menards. To go the extra mile, offer a free workshop to enlighten the local casual gardeners -- with advertising posters up at Menards.

Anyway, it's been my experience that "writing again" and "banging my head against the wall" are synonymous.
OTOH, I always notice that it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. LOL!

[eastwood2007]

how about photographs of the inventory sent to the right people - whoever they are....