Looking for virus-free vendors

[Angel Orchids]

As I have expressed in other posts here, I recently started testing all new orchid acquisitions for CymMV and ORSV viruses. It has been very frustrating to find vendors that (1) sell virus-free plants (2) offer to test plants before shipping or (3) guarantee to replace any plants that test positive.

Presently, I only know of two vendors that meet one of these criteria:
Brookside Orchids
Casa de las Orchideas

I would appreciate referrals to other vendors that I can trust in the future.
Many thanks!

[Roberta]

You would need to contact the vendors as far as policy about testing in advance (for a price) or guaranteeing replacement.

However, as far as running a very clean operation is concerned, I would put Andy's Orchids, Sunset Valley Orchids, Tarzane Group, Gold Country Orchids, and Carter & Holmes high on the list.

[Bayard]

H&R Orchids in Hawaii!

[Leafmite]

I just wanted to say that I am sorry about your experience with discovering virus in your collection. I know some of the members of my orchid society have also been working very hard to keep a virus-free collection. Good luck!

[3rdMaestro]

I don't know about testing beforehand, but Kristen of New World Orchids is very nice and communicates quickly. She would stand by her plants

[Angel Orchids]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard only good things about Andy's orchids.. I will check them out.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Angel Orchids

Thanks for the suggestions. I have heard only good things about Andy's orchids.. I will check them out.

If you are looking for something in particular and don't see it on Andy's website, send an email and ask... the website has maybe 10%-15% of the species that he actually has, typically the most popular, or the things of which he has plenty of stock, but there's much, much more. If the first inquiry doesn't get you an answer in a few days, ask again (persistence pays off...)

[katsucats]

Although I have a list of orchid vendors that I haven't yet gotten viruses from, I know of no orchid vendor that preemptively test plants besides Casa de la Orchideas. Even the most reputable vendor like SVO says explicitly on their website that they could not guarantee virus-free plants. To be fair, if you ask some of these vendors, they might offer you a refund, but that's a very individualized your-miles-may-vary situation that's not a part of their official policy. None of the vendors refund the shipping cost. Some vendors ask you to ship the plant back, and don't refund your shipping cost.

So far the only vendors in my experience that refund the plant cost (without shipping) without requesting that you ship it back are Main Street Orchids, Rare Earth Orchids (after they confirm the virus with a test), and Marlow's (only if there's no replacement).

The following vendors I have not yet gotten a virus from and would recommend: SVO, Andy's, Oscar Allen, SLO, Orchid Dynasty, Rogue (small plants), Natt's, Tropical Orchid Farm. And Hausermann's, until I read your post.

There are other vendors I have not yet gotten a virus from that I would not recommend, whether due to them being somewhat disreputable or that I think the plants are bad value. I'll keep these to myself for now, unless someone wants to know specifically.