I've given details on the Hosta forum.
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/599004/
Ann
Hosta Virus X found in Ottawa area store
I've done some more digging. The affected plant came from Morin Nurseries (a Canadian business).
http://www.morinurseries.net/mori/public/index.asp
The site tells you where their plants are found.
Ann
Ann, I'm sure several of my hosta have the virus...the symptoms shown on that site explains why a few of my hosta don't look well. They are vigourous enough but the leaves are slightly deformed. My 'Chionea' and 'Golden Tiara' seem to be the worse. They are in a border of hosta so it has probably spread to them all. My choce is to destroy them all or live with it. From whom or where the first infected one came from, I haven't a clue. Its really dissappointing.
It's unfortunate, Todd, but the virus is quite prevalent. I don't think any of mine have it yet, but ...
What I have done is to vow not to purchase hostas from any place except my favourite nurseries which specialize in them. Staff in stores often doesn't know anything about the virus - usually kids hired for the summer.
Ann
Good info, Ann, thanks.
Sandy
I just saw some hostas again at Walmart that have the virus. Last year Home Depot had it and told the manager. The manager told me to call the head office. Did that and they weren't to concerned. I give up trying to tell anyone, so I don't buy any that have it and anytime I see someone looking at them I tell them quite loudly that it has the virus and don't buy them.
:) Donna
Thanks for posting this Ann. I looked up retail locations that Mori Nurseries supplies to and sure enough, my favourite haunt is on the list. I'll be looking even more closely now. This is so discouraging and these bigger outfits really are so ignorant. Then again it's all about the mighty dollar isn't it?
Erynne
Check out the original link on the Hosta forum. I had an encouraging message from Mori nurseries that they've taken it quite seriously and have sent some tissue samples to be tested in Guelph. (I've posted it there). Given that they take it so seriously, I'm wondering whether perhaps the store in question might have had some of their hostas mislabelled as to origin because some of the Blue Cadet were definitely showing signs of the virus.
Ann
Will do Ann and it's good to hear that they are taking action. Would they be sending the samples to Guelph University Hort. Dept I wonder.
I talked to my nursery here about what exactly Mori Nurseries supplies for them and they did not want to disclose that info initially. So I said get me the manager and the clerk did. The manager was way better to deal with and told me that Mori doesn't supply their nursery for hosta (phew!) and that they are definitely educated about the virus. They even have the past president of the OHS coming in periodically to check their hosta along with having photo charts of infected plants to keep their staff aware. They take it seriously and I feel better to know this.
I went to a nursery the other day and was looking at the hostas and they all seemed healthy. I asked one staff person if they had this or that; she seemed to know them well. Then I asked what precautions they had in place with regards to the virus.......well I got a blank stare and it was obvious she had no idea about the virus. Needless to say, I walked out.
I guess we all have to keep mentioning it. The stores will only take it seriously if customers do. Of course, many customers at the box stores have no idea of the difference from on hosta to another let alone any knowledge that there is a virus out there.I think awareness will be a long time coming.
At this site:
http://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/articles/hosta_virus_x.php
about 2/3rds down the article, there is a link to a pdf flyer which we can print out and distribute. I'm thinking I should print out several and pass them out to Rona, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, etc when I'm looking at other plants.
Ann