It is safe to order anything you want from Hallson's

Jon

Thanks Jon. I guess I didn't make myself clear (no surprise there)

I know Hallson's is great. What I was wondering is even though Halcyon is easy to find locally, would it be smarter to order it online because it is so frequently virused?

is it worth saving a buck or two to find out your presumption is wrong??

if you have an order going in to a trusted dealer ... load up on everything you might want/need

I did not known certain H were more likely to get it ... did I miss that memo?

ken

I didn't think certain hosta are prone to HVX... But it was that certain cultivars were hit in production. Til I read this awhiles back...

Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta Virus X Resistance List

Hosta library has some hvx lists.

Here is a link that might be useful: hvx lists

Don Rawson has hvx prone list too

Here is a link that might be useful: Rawson's hvx list

the problem started back in time when one certain country .. one of the giant worldwide wholesalers ... was washing all their plants in the same water .... recycling the virus.. to everything they sold ...

as an extension of that ... the were selling the more common varieties .... and shipping them to all the giant retailers ...

i think that is all back history by now ....

all i would be concerned with .... would be peeps diggin and selling from their back yard ...

but ... as i suggested... since i dont buy anymore ... i make no claim about being current with the literature ...

my point to OP ... if you have a list at a trusted dealer.. throw on a couple more ...

it means.. you have to give up the impulse buys at bigboxstore ...

ken

Already been said.
bk

This post was edited by bkay2000 on Mon, Feb 2, 15 at 16:47

Thanks for all the replies.

Ken, I realize it is always safer to buy from trusted online dealers, but since unfortunately, I don't have unlimited funds, sometimes I have to pick and choose. So usually, I buy those that aren't available locally. Don't buy from the bigboxstores, but local nurseries.

My original question was just relative to what I read on Hallson's website. They specifically mention virus testing in certain descriptions. So.......I was just wondering if those were hosta more likely to be virused.

I appreciate the links to all of the lists. I knew I had read about certain hosta being more likely to be diseased.

And I tend to ask a lot of questions. Thanks again!

Actually, I think all of Hallson's stock is tested for HVX. He was hit pretty hard when the virus was first detected. He's been in the forefront of testing and guaranteeing his stock to be HVX free.

It seems that certain stock is more likely to be infected than others. Locally, you are most likely to find Royal Standard to be HVX positive. He may be mentioning it for that reason. Just email him and ask. He's been very open about his program. He's always answered my emails. Just ask him.

bk

always just trying to provide history ....

Chris lives about 15 minutes away ...I visit more often .. than he probably prefers .... lol....

I was under the impression he tests all his stock .... one way or another ... he could speak to that ..... just email him ..... this time of year ... answers probably come fast?????

with two teens. ..... I fully understand budget constricts .... I haven't bought more than 2 host in ten years ..... and both were last year ... lol .? when Chris talked me into one I did not want .... and then... on a second visit.... bought the one I wanted ....

ken

Hi,

Halcyon is definitely one of those that is commonly infected but also rarely shows symptoms when it is infected, so I would be very careful buying that one on the cheap. That's why it is specifically mentioned there.

Unfortunately a lot of companies, local and online, continue to use visual inspections to tell if they have virus or not. Not all of them of course, but it tends to be normal. I'm always thrilled to talk with smaller nurseries who have HVX test kits on hand and am shocked when I find big places that specialize in hostas but don't do their own in house testing.

Ask wherever you buy your plants from. Ask if they test and ask if they guarantee. Some will say they guarantee no more than 5% have virus, since that is what the Dutch agriculture inspection service allows, but that is BS. If one in a batch has virus then there is a good chance the rest are infected but just not showing yet or too low of a concentration to get a positive in a test.

It is tough to absolutely guarantee anything is 100% virus free in this day and age of plant viruses and the global plant trade. Some work harder than others to shoot for this.

I hear you, Chris....some say they have HVX-free plants...but don't mention other viruses that exist in some of their plants..same with evidence of nematodes. Makes you wonder if there exists an ethical vendor who is totally committed to the time, expense and care of healthy plants, HOSTA or otherwise.

I was dismayed to see evidence of nematodes in one of my new purchases last year...this from a very reputable grower/supplier. The response was ...."it is best to purchase in Fall...which is when nematodes show on a plant/hosta". I did not receive an apology or offer of replacement. Not sure what I was expecting but I wasn't expecting the quoted response....from which I learned, however.

I did not "out" this supplier. I dealt with it by pulling off and destroying the three visibly-infected leaves. The plant looks great. Anxious to see not only spring, but if more nematode-infected leaves appear closer to Fall. I planted it amongst other hostas before symptoms showed. The only overhead watering my hostas receive is from rain. I will be vigilant and observe the whole lot I purchased at that same time. Hopefully an isolated case....

Comments?

Jo

Jamie, I apologize for the insertion of nematodes into your HVX post. I've just re-read it only now. Innocent comments can on occasion derail a thread. :-(

No problem jo. I am always happy to hear of others experiences. Everytime I come on here, I learn something new.

And I always see some new pictures that make me want to add something to my wish list.

Jo, I'm not sure how I feel about that. If one of the suppliers that we all talk about is selling nematode infected plants, I'm not sure that should be kept quiet.

I had a "run in" with a supplier that is occasionally mentioned here. My complaint was mislabeled plants that he refused to remedy. I thought he should have replaced the plants. He thought I was wanting a refund. He told me the problem was my climate and how much it had cost him to ship to me early in the season and I had pests, that's why my Aphrodite would not open (I ordered plantaginea). I think he is a terrible businessman, but he did not sell me anything that would infect my yard or my hosta. If that was the situation, I would definitely mention it to other people.

Nematodes and HVX are hard to remedy once your yard is infected. I promise you, you aren't finished with them. Because of our long growing season, they show up here in June. So at least send me an email so that I don't buy from that grower again.

I did get an hvx infected plant locally. I told the retailer and the grower about it. I supplied photos of the plant and photos of the test stick. When I found another hvx infected plant from them a year later, I hacked my way through the Texas Agriculture bureaucracy to file a formal complaint. I've told every nursery man who will listen that Green Lake Nursery sells hvx infected plants and will continue to do so.

I think you should re-think the position of "not outing him". If you don't want to do it here, at least post it on Dave's Gardens where vendors are rated.

jmo

bk

^^ I think your post has a good point to it, BKay. ^^

And thanks again for the info, Chris. Just another reason why I love Hallson Gardens!

Don B.

I bought h.'Halcyon' 20 years ago and they never showed HVX. I bought a mislabeled 'S&S' plant once from Walmart, and it got HVX, and then I spread it to some plants. So whenever I see another plant with a virus, I test it, and if HVX positive I remove it with its soil. I can live with it! There are other viruses. In respect to nematodes, I treat all plants and have them under control. There are also slugs, treat them too. All this is part of hosta gardening.
Bernd

Bernd, aside from slug pellets and a bleach solution I've not had to treat plants for anything else. Your comments have encouraged and reminded me to recap nematode control. I obviously need to do more research before spring arrives.

Would you advise I leave it in the ground and treat rather than discard?

Jo, I have detailed my nematode adventure on my website, nematodes in Pieter's garden, that should provide a good starting point.

Thank you so much, Pieter! Just got home...will read your link :-)

It is 11:43 my time...approx. minutes after my post above. The time stamp I'm viewing on my previous is off three hours...odd...

That is more than a good starting point, Pieter. Again, Thanks so much...to you and Bruce Banyai and Bernd.

Last spring, all my hosta's received, while still emerging and in pip form, a liberal dousing of the 10% bleach soaking, (two applications, one week apart) including the surrounding soil. It was tedious and back-breaking but well worth it. I was following the practice of Hank, aka The Hosta Man from whom I purchased about a dozen hostas in 2011. It was a preventive measure, he said he used to kill any slug eggs or slugs, should they be lurking in vegetation.

I will definitely do the same this spring, paying particular attention to my SB and its surrounding soil. I was thinking of potting it up simply because I can guarantee that no overhead water or rain will hit it.

Feeling a bit better, knowing I have a plan in place...watch out, nematodes!. :-)

More information...Virus/nematodes