vendor Virus Policies

[Jmoney]

OK here goes. My experiences with various vendors who do vouch for their plants being virus-free versus those who do not. I am going to try to be as objective as I can here. I am only stating the truth. It's my truth, but honestly...it's the truth. Maybe others can add to this list.

For the record, I think virus testing is perhaps overkill for most growers. It is also likely impossible to keep a collection virus free, with the potential for false negatives on commonly-available test kits and the dozens of non CymMV/ORSV viruses that may or may not have a test platform at this time. I am still trying to keep my collection clean with testing. And yes, I am paranoid (just on this topic).

My take on selling plants with virus is this: for any seller catering to the serious orchid grower (i.e. not the big box stores or big nurseries with a few orchids sprinkled in), there ought to be a responsibility to sell virus-free plants. Would anyone here accept a plant that is infested with scale, snails, spider mites, mealies, or the like? Or a plant with no roots that is going to die? To me, virus is no different, just perhaps not as visible. And I do not expect every plant from a commercial grower to be virus-free, as it is not feasible to test on a large scale. I would just like some accountability. Sometimes you get it, sometimes not. I am particularly miffed by the growers who do not vouch for their plants and then have the nerve to say that nobody else would do such a thing (which is obviously not true). Excuses. Now I ask before I buy.


Vendors who will replace/refund virused plants:
(I have received virus plants from *some* of these vendors, others on this list have only sent me clean plants and have told me they will certify their plants as clean.) In no particular order.

Bredren Orchids, FL
Krull Smith, FL
Shogun, HI
Tim Culberton, CA (twculberton on ebay)
OV Orchids, CA (ovorchids on ebay)
Austin Creek, CA (orchid4u2006 on ebay)
Southwestern College, KS
Sentinel Orchids, PA
Fair Orchids, NJ


Vendors who will NOT replace virused plants:
Orchidphile, CT
Big Leaf, TX


I have purchased orchids from a lot more vendors, but the ones where I never asked for virus policy are not listed.