I am not sure why this degenerated into a slanging match, but even the AOS recommend disposing of virused orchids and purchasing only from certified producers. So go and criticise the AOS if you don't think that its good general advice. If someone wants to do so who am I, or you, to tell them not to ?
Orchid Viruses
I have yet to find a "certified" producer ( please help ) and I think that Hausermann's only raised their concern because Escualida must have mentioned the subject. After all I purchased mine from Hausermann's and they did not pre-caution me at all ! And I can vouch that they mostly onsell product from other vendors - that is product that they haven't grown themselves.
In fact if plants can be sold as 4N ( and the buyer won't be able to tell that without testing ), then I think that it is a reasonable expectation of a buyer to get virus-free, insect-free and disease-free plants. The stinger though, unfortunately, is that the buyer has to ASK them first ( about virus-free ). That I don't agree with.
A tip - with any purchase I always take photos of the plants I receive, together with packaging - and in the few instances of problems I have just sent the photos, and then got replacement plants, hassle free. I also don't believe in having to return actual plants, despite what any vendor policy says...
Hybrid Mode
