I guess if I liked the plant I would have bought it not knowing for sure if it was Paradigm (or Paul's glory, etc).

For me it's fun to speculate what something actually is as it grows, and I'm more into the visuals of collecting than the names.

When I buy I generally do a visual check of plants, and have bought some from private sales of people who know nothing of HVX (every spring the little old lady who lives down the street pots up 15-20 varieties I can't find anywhere else around here). Haven't had any problems, and I tend to stay away from buying Gold Standard because that's the one that is sometimes perpetuating HVX in local gardens.

But that's just me.

:-)

I would have done as you did. Paradigm is a fast grower (for me anyway) and easily available from places that DO know about HVX.

-Babka

I purchased my first Paradigm from a local grower yesterday.
Don't know why I waited so long to buy one, maybe the size/price was never attractive. I picked out the largest one he had, 8 eyes, for $12. I will not divide it, as it will replace a large Paul's Glory, that came up with ALL green foliage this year??? Never a hint that there was any problem with it, no green sports, no change in leaf colors, nada! Nothing unusual about the totally green plant, looks like hundreds of green seedlings that come up in the garden each year, so it's history.

And you can buy it cheaper elsewhere as well.

If the grower doesn't even know what HVX is, I think it's best to not purchase from them... No matter how pretty the plant is!

Well,I bought a Paradigm from a local person,years ago,and it has been a great find. If it was a huge plant it would still be a good buy,because even our local reputable nurseries would sell it at that price. I bought a pair of Kiwi Full Monty,at a local nursery here,and the reason was the price. Both of them were $8.90 each. The lady who owns the nursery had no idea what they were. She had name tags in them that said Sun Power. I tried to tell her what they were,but she didn't seem to care. The point I am trying to make is,I like them so much that I went to another nursery near here to get another one to make a "drift"of 3 in a row. That third one cost me $20.,and it was nowhere near the size of the other two. They are all planted in my garden now,and the original two are about three years old. I always go for a bargain when it comes to hosta. Some of my best hostas have come from big box stores. Just MHO. Phil

ladywindsurfer... Paul's Glory can be slow to show its variegation, but I guess in zone 7, if it was going to "color up" you would know by now... I'm really surprised, never saw a mature plant go all blue in one year unless it is still a pretty young plant.

BTW - Paul's Glory does throw a lot of solid sports, particularly when it is being tissue cultured. I know Q&Z calls the blue ones 'Wheaton Blue' and sells them. They have good form and grow quickly... I don't know if there is a name for the green sport.

The PG was derived from TC, but was at least 4 years old and of mature size. I have one other PG from the same TC batch and it looks great.
During 20 years of growing many hundreds of Hostas, I've seen a lot of quirky things happen, but nothing like this! Guess there's a first time for everything.

BTW, No foreign chemicals; fertilizers, insecticides or fungicides have been applied in that area during the past 40 years. Not even slug bait. The soil is well drained loam and is top-dressed with an annual thin application of home brewed compost. The area receives several hours of late afternoon sunlight. All of the other nearby Hostas have experienced no problems. Remains an Unsolved Mystery!

Hi,
You did the right thing. You should feel good. No sense in jeopradizing your entire garden.

I was at a very large nursery last week that supplies several Kmarts, Menards, etc. I found several sports. There were tetraploid forms of 'Wide Brim' w/ an incredible margin, vein, and substance; absolutely stunning! I also found what might be considered a new one 'Ice Follies'. I probably could have named it something different and made some monies on royalties. I also found streaked 'Earth Angel'. "American Sweetheart' were in huge 3 gallon containers w/ three large divisions each. I could have bought all these for $5.00 a piece. I walked away after further investigation. I had to look really close for the slightest indication of problems. It was not until the light levels began to change that I found problems. Further, visual inspection means nothing. I was told the Dept. of Agriculture had just been there for "inspection" and they were not advised of any problems. It is not the Dept. of Ag's responsibility to provide "clean" plants to the consumer. It is the vendor/grower. A real bummer.

My Dept. of Ag. inspector grows Hostas and has a large collection. She is very aware of HVX and nems, so none of the nurseries she inspects can get a "pass" on Hosta diseases!

I have purchased some of the HVX test strips. I spoke to a woman who sells only hostas at the farmer's market and asked her about HVX. I had previously purchased 3 from her assuming she knew about HVX (she only grows and sells hostas). When I asked her what she did to prevent HVX she gave me the same blank stare that the guy from the first nursery did. I was stunned that someone who only deals in hostas was not even aware of HVX. Needless to say I will not buy from her in the future. I will also test all of my plants and dispose of any sick ones I find. I am crossing my fingers that they "pass" the test.

I would not have bought it.
If you want to buy from a good nursery that is very knowledgeable about HVX and ships very well rooted, large hostas try Hallson. They have Paradigm for $12.